Nelson Vernon Rinker, 80 SMYRNA - Nelson Vernon Rinker, of Smyrna, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on Thursday, July 1, 2010. He was 80 years old. Nelson was born on Dec. 8, 1929, in Bismark, W.Va. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1951, and served overseas in Japan the Philippine Islands and Thailand during his 20 years of military service. He was awarded several honors including the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, US Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and a Certificate of Appreciation from President Richard Nixon. Nelson and his family moved to Smyrna in November 1959, where he co-owned Hairgrove and Rinker Exxon Service Station. He later worked for Blanchfield's Arco. Nelson also briefly owned and operated a Bowes auto parts business. In 1986 he went to work for the Town of Smyrna as the Water Systems Operator and retired in May 2009. In the summer of 2004, Nelson was honored by the Chesapeake Section of the American Water Works Association as the Operator of the Year. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, Olivia "Olvie" and Flora Rinker; and his sister Louise. He is survived by his siblings, Arvella Carpenter and her husband Keith, Mitch Rinker and his wife Linda; Carolyn Rinker, their son John Rinker and his wife Colleen, their daughter Debbie Rinker Doyle, and her fiancé Gerald Nadel; his grandchildren, Jeff Rinker, Jonni Lynn Rinker Wolskee and her husband Jason, Wesley and Joy Doyle; his great-grandchildren, Sunni Mae and Peter Wolskee; his dear companion Calysta Hitchens and her family, and his beloved dogs, Buddy and Sandy. Services will be Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at 6 p.m. in the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 South Main Street, Smyrna, where friends may call one hour prior to the services. Interment services will be Friday July 9, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear. Contributions made to Delaware Hospice, 911 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901, would be appreciated. Condolence letters may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com.