Howard "Howie" L. Rinas

Our beloved Howard “Howie” L. Rinas, 76, of Noblesville, IN, passed away on October 7, 2023 after a short but determined battle with cancer. Howie was born on October 11, 1946 to Walter & Adelaide Rinas in Chicago, IL.

Howie joined the United States Navy to support the Vietnam conflict and served on the USS America. Upon entering civilian life, did an apprenticeship that led to a 20 year career in the steel industry. He ended his professional life having had a diverse career that saw him work in industries as varied as printing, entertainment and automotive safety. He retired in 2008 to spend more time with his family and friends.

His love story began when Howie met Christine Tylenda in 1963 and they married 5 years later. This storied love affair lasted 60 years and Chris and Howie grew up together from being kids in love to having kids, grandkids, and great grandkids that they adore!

Everyone who knew Howie can attest to his charm and his ability to hold a crowd rapt with his inexhaustible treasure trove of stories - he was truly the life of every party. He adored trains and over the years, made model trains a longstanding passion project. He loved spending his spare time building these gorgeous and intricate structures, especially in HO scale. His love of music was another defining trait and whether it was Gershwin or Chopin or Boccilli, he could always be heard humming or drumming a tune; if you were lucky, you got to see him play La Cucaracha on the organ to rip-roaring laughter!

His family is blessed with a lifetime of precious memories from piling on as a family of 5 onto a single love seat to watch Star Trek to watching him scare his grandson with a fake alligator head in the pond. All of us are richer for having had him in our lives. Howie was a pied piper for every dog he ever met and he loved them with a fierceness that they returned in spades. His laughter was infectious, his smile genuine, and his capacity to love his family boundless. We have no doubt that he is holding court in heaven surrounded by his loved ones and all of his beloved dogs who were waiting for him already.

Howie was predeceased by his father Walter, mother Adelaide, brother Kevin, and sister Karen. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Christine; his incredible kids Elizabeth Taylor, Aimee Rinas (Shilpi Bhargav), Jennifer Rabourn (Matthew); his beautiful grandchildren Katherine Green (Ryan), Zachary Taylor, Grayson Rabourn, and Donavan Rabourn; his adorable great-grandchildren Alexander Green and Lily Demopoulos-Green.

 Funeral services will be held at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250, on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Following funeral will be graveside service with military honors. This will be followed shortly thereafter with a luncheon at The Oxford Room @ the Aristocrat Restaurant & Pub from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Flowers can be sent directly to the funeral home or to his wife. For those inclined to donate in lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to your local humane society in honor of his fierce love of all dogs.