Rinas, Edward (1908-1966)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary Jan 13 p. 19

Birth date: 1908 Jan 30

text of obituary:

EDWARD RINAS

Funeral services were held on November 30 in the Mennonite Brethren Church in Hepburn, Sask., for Edward Rinas, who passed away on November 27, 1966, at the age of 58 years, 9 months and 28 days. Officiating at the service was the Rev. John Froese.

Edward Rinas was born on January 30, 1908 in Pysarouka. Volhynia. Russia. He was the second of five children born to William and Anna Rinas. At the age of six, he lost his parents and two younger sisters as the result of an influenza epidemic. After an unsettled childhood with various relatives he made his home with his older sister, Theresa.

Having migrated to Canada he spent a lonely year at Blaine Lake and was later hired by Mr. J. J. Fischer of Laird, Sask. During his stay of seven years he was accepted into their home as a son and brother. On October 20, 1935 he was united in marriage to Cornelia Block. The marriage took place in the Laird Church where they were both members. Mr. Rinas was converted at the age of 15 and was baptized into the German Baptist Church. He later joined the church at Laird and spent one year at Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn.

After 16 years of farming in the Laird district he moved his family to Hepburn in 1952. He was actively engaged in farming until the time of his death. Participating in community affairs he held positions on the school board, board of directors for the Coop, on the church council and 4-H clubs. These were means of expressing his deep concern for developing his ideas of integrity, responsibility and perseverance - virtues he upheld before his family as well. His spiritual as well as physical concern for his family was always evident in his determination to help his children establish strong Christian principles.

On a trip with his wife to the Toronto Royal Winter Fair he took ill forcing hospitalization when he returned home. After a brief illness, he quietly passed away at the peak of his strength and mental capacity.

He leaves to mourn his wife Nellie, his children, Della, David Edward and wife Ruth, Darlene and her husband, Clarence Elias, Tessy and her husband, Gary Peters, Ronald, Richard, Lorena, and his seven grandchildren.