Carl Rinto

Carl Russell 'Buck' Rinto, 82, of Crestline died Monday, September 9, 2002 in Columbus, Ohio of complications from prostrate cancer. Mr. Rinto was born April 19, 1920 in Ashtabula, Ohio. He graduated from Ashtabula High School and attended Kent State University for three years before joining the U.S. Army. He served in the 89th Infantry Division as a platoon sergeant, participating in the liberation of Europe and Nazi concentration camps in 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. After leaving the service, Carl served several years as an Ohio State patrolman. He then moved to insurance and spent 33 years with the Westfield Insurance Company as a Claims Manager in charge of the Mansfield office. Carl loved sports and was an excellent tennis, handball and volleyball player. Self-taught, he played for and lost Ashtabula's 1937 citywide tennis championship to a college player. He was a serious Indians, Browns and Buckeye fan, although in his last years he didn't watch as much because he got so excited he thought he was having a heart attack. 'He had strong opinions, but he could disagree without taking it personally,' said his daughter, Barb. 'He especially enjoyed political arguments. With his kids, he was always supportive and gave us space to be and do what we wanted to do.' Carl was a member of the American Legion Post in Crestline, the North Central Ohio Association of Claims Managers, Leiderkrantz, Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity and the Kent State Alumni Association. He was also active in the First English Lutheran Church of Mansfield.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dorothy Bishop Rinto of Columbus; sons and daughters-in-law, Russell Rinto of Mansfield, Martin & Jane Rinto of Medina and John & Deborah Rinto of Columbus; daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara Rinto & Jerry Lawson of Cincinnati and Karla Rinto & John Viasko of Columbus; and grandsons, James, Peter and Tom Rinto. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl & Willa F. Ward Rinto; and a brother, Richard Rinto.

Friends may call at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church conducted by Rev. Paul L. Larson and Rev. Cloyd Kress. Military services will follow at Mansfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First English Lutheran Church to help in funding the Wednesday Community Lunch or the Alzheimer's Association.