John J. Hinkle

Chief Master Sergeant United States Air Force (Retired) John J. Hinkle, 86, of St. Louis, MO, formerly of Mascoutah, IL, born Mar. 28, 1928 in Wharncliffe, WV, died Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at the Missouri State Veterans Home in St. Louis, MO.
He built a proud and passionate life around devotion – to faith, country, and family. John retired as a CMSgt USAF after 26 years with the U.S. Air Force and Army. He served as an air traffic controller and was a World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veteran. John’s service moved the Hinkle family around the world, living in Rapid City, SD; Mountain Home, ID; Bitburg, Germany; Midwest City, OK; Mascoutah, IL; Pearl City, HI; and Kansas City, MO.
His accomplished career included manning the first radar traffic control system in Greenland, coordinating emergency mission support during the Cuban missile crisis and selection as his command’s Outstanding Airman of the Year in 1966. He was a finalist for appointment as the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. His awards include the Legion of Merit and the Air Force Commendation Medal, which he was awarded for his work on the earthquake in Alaska.
John followed up his military service with a successful career working as a contract salesman for Sears. His competitive drive kept him active with Toastmasters as well.
Once he retired from retail, John and his wife of 61 years, Phyllis, enjoyed many happy years in Rapid City, SD. There, his children and grandchildren would visit and experience great attractions like Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Dinosaur Park, and Story Book Island. John loved the outdoors and would often enjoy leading hikes through the beautiful Black Hills and Badlands. When they weren’t entertaining guests at their home, John and Phyllis traveled across country in their motor home to visit family and friends.
John was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah, IL and the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rapid City, SD. Music was an important part of his worship, with a special fondness for gospel songs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Nora (nee Moshier) Hinkle; his wife, Phyllis J. (nee Jaehn) Hinkle whom he married in Rapid City, SD on Aug. 23, 1947 and who died Mar. 1, 2009; two brothers, Russell, and Troy (Nora Lee) Hinkle; two sisters, Lorraine Hatfield Branham, and Daphne (Jim) Bowen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jennie Hinkle, Frank “Junior” and Julie Jaehn, Keith Jaehn, Leonard Jaehn, Robert (Agnes) Jaehn, Lillian Jaehn, and Margaret Jaehn.
Surviving are John’s children, Terry (Russell) Gourneau, of San Francisco, CA; and John (Lynnette) Hinkle, of Mascoutah, IL; four grandchildren, Adam Haack, Rachel (Joe) Pees, Laurisa (Nick) Mahlin, and Bethany Hinkle; six great-grandchildren, Nathan, Emma, Hope, Kaylia, Brandon, and Joshua; three brothers, Donald Hinkle of Red Jacket, WV, James (Nira) Hinkle of Sumpter, SC, and Dwight (Brenda) Hinkle of Columbus, OH; a sister, Connie (Joe) Byington of Bay Town, TX; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wallace (LaDonna) Jaehn of Blair, NB, Donna (Vern) Lotz of Rapid City, SD, Eugene (Cindy) Jaehn of Missoula, MT, and Patty Jaehn of Plattsburgh, NY; many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.
Special thanks to the many staff members, doctors, nurses, and volunteers who contributed to his care and comfort at the Missouri Veteran’s Home, Assisted Living at Silver Creek, and Mar-Kay Nursing Home.
Memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ.
Visitation: friends may call from 4 to 8 PM Monday, May 26, 2014 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL, and from 9 to 10 AM Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah.
Funeral: funeral services will be held 10 AM Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah with Pastor Candice Stone officiating. Burial will be in the Mascoutah City Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.