John E. Hinrichs

John Edward Hinrichs, 89, passed away on December 18, 2025. He was born on November 3, 1936, to Carl William Hinrichs and Ethel Maeona Powell. John was raised in La Fontaine, Kansas, later lived in Neodesha, Kansas, and moved with his family to Cherryvale, Kansas, where he attended school. He graduated from Cherryvale High School in 1955.

Following graduation, John lived in Chanute, Kansas, where he was employed by the City of Chanute Cemetery until 1959. He was then called to duty and served in the United States Army in Korea as a wireman with the 1st Cavalry Division, Company C. After his military service, John returned to Cherryvale and worked at the Cherryvale Water Treatment Plant. He later retired from A.G. Valve in Coffeyville, Kansas.

On December 5, 1986, John was united in marriage to Minnie Lou Harrison, and the couple shared many years together.

John was a man of deep faith and a member of Crystal Brook Church. He was known as a quiet, kind, gentle, and naturally pleasant man, always willing to help others whenever he could. He had a deep love for animals, especially his dogs, horses, and chickens, who brought him great joy and companionship. John enjoyed baseball and football and was a devoted Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He greatly valued time spent with family and remained close with his nieces and nephews throughout his life.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Carl William Hinrichs and Ethel Maeona Powell; his wife, Minnie Lou Hinrichs; his stepson, Wesley Bearman; his brother-in-law, Jim Ham (husband of Violet Ann Ham); his sisters, Glenna Dolores “Dee” Fouch (Orville), Darlene Mae Dillow (Lewis), Dorothy Irene Hinrichs, Sheila Christine Evans; and his niece, Khristy Deann Evans.

He is survived by his sister, Violet Ann Ham, his brother-in-law, James Evans, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends and neighbors, who admired him for his generosity, quiet strength, and willingness to help anyone in need. He is also survived by his devoted pet, Hadley, who remained faithfully by his side.

A visitation in John’s honor will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Potts Chapel in Independence. Interment will follow at the Neodesha Cemetery in Neodesha, Kansas. Family requests memorials be sent to either Proud Animal Lovers Shelter (PALS) of Parsons, Kansas, Harry Hynes Hospice, or to CrystalBrook Church of Independence, Kansas.