Phyllis J. Hinkle

Phyllis Jeanette Hinkle, nee Jaehn, 80, of Mascoutah, IL, born March 27, 1928 in Huron, SD, died March 1, 2009, at Mar-Ka Nursing Home surrounded by her family’s love and support.


Phyllis’s life was full of family, friends, faith, and fun. A devoted military wife, Phyllis saw her family through many moves throughout the world. The Hinkle family lived in Rapid City, SD; Mountain Home, ID; Germany; Midwest City, OK; Mascoutah, IL; Pearl City, HI; and Kansas City, MO;. But no matter the location of the house, Phyllis always made it feel like “home”. She was an accomplished seamstress, cook, and baker. She was a Brownie Girl Scout troop leader and always had a soft spot for animals. In her free time she enjoyed bowling in a women’s league and dancing to any song that would accommodate the jitterbug.


After her husband, John, retired they moved to Ashville, NC where Phyllis became active in helping another family- the patients at the Veteran’s Hospital. The Red Cross recognized her for her dedication and awarded her the Volunteer of the Year in 1974. John and Phyllis moved their retirement to Branson, MO and then finally back to her hometown of Rapid City, SD. There, her children and grandchildren would come to visit and experience great attractions like Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Dinosaur Park, and Story Book Island. Phyllis was active in both membership and volunteer work at Westminster Presbyterian church in Rapid City. Phyllis gave tirelessly of herself, her spirit, and her infectious laughter to all who needed a friend.


She was preceded in death by her parents Frank W. and Madoline, nee Miller, Jaehn; brother Robert Jaehn and his wife Agnes; brother Leonard Jaehn; sister-in-law Lillian Jaehn; sister-in-law Margaret Jaehn; brother-in-law Russell Hinkle; brother-in-law Troy Hinkle; brother-in-law Elmer Hatfield; brother-in-law Gilbert Branham; sister-in-law Nora Lee Hinkle; sister-in-law Daphne Bowen and her husband Jim.


Surviving are Phyllis’s husband, Chief Master Sergeant USAF (Ret.) John J. Hinkle, whom she married on August 23, 1947 in Rapid City, SD; brother, Frank “Junior” (Julie) Jaehn, of Las Vegas, NV; brother, Wallace (LaDonna) Jaehn, of Blair, NB; sister, Donna (Vern) Lotz, of Rapid City, SD; brother, Milo (Patty) Jaehn, of Plattsburgh, NY; brother, Eugene (Cindy) Jaehn, of Missoula, MT; special family friend Alan Rada; sister-in-law, Lorraine Branham, of Williamson, KY; brother-in-law, Donald (Jennie) Hinkle, of Red Jacket, WV; brother-in-law, James (Nira) Hinkle, of Sumpter, SC; brother-in-law, Dwight (Brenda) Hinkle, of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law, Connie (Joe) Byington, of Bay
Town, Texas; daughter, Terry (Russell) Gourneau, of San Francisco, CA; son, John (Lynnette) Hinkle, of Mascoutah, IL; grandson, Adam Haack, of San Diego, CA; granddaughter, Rachel (Joe) Pees of Belleville, IL; granddaughter, Laurisa (Nick) Mahlin, of Columbia, MO; granddaughter, Bethany Hinkle, of Mascoutah, IL; six great grandchildren, Hope, Nathan, Emma, Kaylia, Brandon, and Joshua and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

A special thanks to the many workers, doctors, nurses, friends, and neighbors who helped care for Phyllis over the last ten years.

Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice or to the donor’s choice.

Visitation: friends may call from 3:30 to 7:30 PM Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL, and from 10:00-11:00 AM Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the church.

Funeral: funeral services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, March 5, 2009 at St. John UCC in Mascoutah with Pastor Hugh Fitz officiating. Burial will be in the Mascoutah City Cemetery immediately following the funeral.