Franklin O. "Sonny" Rinker Jr.

December 7, 1926 - January 5, 2021

Franklin O. ‘Sonny’ Rinker, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 5, 2021 at the age of 94, having lived an active and healthy life. The son of the late Frank Sr. and Gertrude (McFall) Rinker, Sonny was born in Detroit, MI on December 7, 1926. Except for the last 3 ½ years at Bloom Mill Apartments, he lived his entire life on Fair Street in Bloomsburg. Sonny married Betty (Parker) Rinker and celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage until her death in 2007. He attended Bloomsburg schools and proudly served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy. Sonny was a member of Caldwell Consistory and a Shriner. He was also a lifelong Bloomsburg Fair member and attended daily. Along with his father and two brothers, he owned and operated flower farms in Bloomsburg and Stuart FL. F.O. Rinker & Sons was one of the largest suppliers of cut flowers along the eastern US seaboard. Nearing his retirement, Sonny owned several standardbred horses, competing in harness races in the 1970s. A former member of Bloomsburg Country Club and Frosty Valley Country Club, he was a well known local golfer with several holes-in-ones to his credit. He delighted in sharing his love for the game of golf with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter. Sonny loved playing cards with his family and friends. In later life he enjoyed spending time at the Bloomsburg Senior Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson, Jason Rinker, and brother Laine Rinker Sr. He is survived by daughter Trudy Gerrish and her husband Gaylen, Bloomsburg; son Frank Rinker III and his wife Cindy, Bloomsburg; brother Ronnie Rinker, Stuart FL; grandson Mark Gerrish, his wife Michele and children Amanda and Bradford, Tallahassee FL; granddaughter Melodee Demchak, her husband Andy and son Parker, Camp Hill; granddaughter Shelby Morrison, her husband Ryan and children Rylan and Reed, Clifton VA; a grandson Michael Rinker, his wife Joslyn and children Taylor, Mason, Emily, and Hunter, Sugarloaf; as well as many nieces and nephews. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market St., Bloomsburg is honored to be serving the Rinker family. Friends and family wishing to send a memorial gift, share a personal memory or offer condolences to the family, a Memorial Tribute Page in Franklin’s honor and a Sympathy Store are available at www.Allen-FuneralHome.com.