California Obituaries, Los Angeles County

Submitted by Peggy Hooper 

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The Downey Eagle
August 22, 1997 Volume 5 Number 26

Carl Andrew Rheuark laid to rest at 75
DOWNEY-Services were held Thursday, Aug. 21, at the First Baptist Church of Downey for Carl Andrew 
Rheuark, who died Aug. 16 in Downey after a struggle with pulmonary fibrosis. 
He was age 75 and was comptroller of Bentley Manufacturing in Paramount. 
He and his wife, Christena, were lifelong members of the First Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon, 
Treasurer, and a member of the Finance Board. Over the years they both served as youth directors in their 
church. 
They loved to travel, and seldom missed an opportunity to return "Back East," for family reunions at Long 
Beach, North Carolina. For years their home in Downey served as a place where family and friends passing 
through could stay and visit. 
A member of the First Baptist Church of Downey, he was also a 32nd degree Master Mason, Chillum Castle 
Lodge A.F. & A.M., No. 186, Hyattsville, Maryland, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., USA, a member 
of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Al Milaikah Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., of Los 
Angeles; a member of the Royal Order of Scotland; and a member of Eastern Star. He also belonged to the 
Inland Society of Tax Consultants. In 1994 he was honored with an Older Employee Excellence Award 
presented by Governor Pete Wilson. 
A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and was part of the Normandy Invasion. After the war 
he worked for the government as an auditor, stationed in Zaire, Taiwan and Okinawa. While in Zaire, he set 
up a make-shift outdoor cinema and projected weekly feature-length films for missionary families and others 
who sought entertainment. 
On retiring from government service he returned to Africa as an employee of the American Employees' 
Recreation and Welfare Association (AERWA), and provided recreation and entertainment for U.S. employees 
in Zaire. He was made an honorary Marine in 1981 for his efforts. 
When he returned to the U.S. he used his accounting skills to help turn the fortunes of Bentley 
Manufacturing around. 
In 1993 he received a Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of Paramount for his valuable contributions 
as an older employee. 
Survivors include his wife, Christena Leeson Rheuark of Downey; his daughters, Wanda Carlene Rheuark 
Baker of Atlanta, Georgia, Elizabeth Ann Wood of Las Vegas; his grandchildren, Stephanie D. Wood, Sheena 
Leiann Wood and Sabrina Lynn Wood all of Las Vegas; sisters Mary R. Watson of Arlington, Virginia, Hazel 
R. Craig of Burlington, N.C., Myrtle R. Turner of Graham, N.C.; and his brother, Ernest C. Rheuark of Buena Park. 
Burial followed at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside. Arrangements were by the Miller-Mies Mortuary 
of Downey.