M. Joan Essig Rinehart, of Hartsville, South Carolina, passed away on May 21, 2021. She was born in Elkhart, Indiana on September 2, 1930. In honor of Joan's wishes, her cremated remains are being brought back to her hometown of Elkhart, IN to be laid to rest alongside her husband, Eugene Rinehart in Rice Cemetery.

She was predeceased by: her parents, Frank W. Essig and Ona Ehret Essig. She is survived by : her daughters, Marcia Ganyard of Berryville, VA and Beth Matthews (Rick) of Hartsville, SC; her granddaughters, Heather Robbins (Tripp) of Lovettsville, VA, Erica Bernadas (Ian-Charles) of New Orleans, LA, Rachael (Jeff) of Charleston, SC, Rebecca Blackmon (John) of Columbia, SC and Renee Saverance (Kyle) of Hartsville, SC; and her great grandchildren, Samantha Robbins, Quade Robbins, Evelyn Blackmon, Charlotte Blackmon and Reid Saverance.

Memorials may be made to the Florence Presbyterian Community, 2350 W. Lucas St., Florence, SC 29501, or the First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart, 200 East Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, IN 46514.

A graveside ceremony at Rice Cemetery will take place on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Sally Wicks of First Presbyterian Elkhart officiating. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. in Elkhart has handled all of the arrangements.