Kenneth Eugene Hinkle

Kenneth "Ken" Eugene Hinkle went home to be with the Lord on February 11, 2025 at 3:38 pm. He was at home surrounded by loved ones.
Ken is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sarah Ruth (nee Haven) Hinkle whom he married on January 5, 1961. Three daughters: Shaun (Jeff) Paulsen, Tamela (Kevin) Scaggs, and Terrisa (Germaine Eley) Turner; 9 grandchildren: Kimberly, Nicole, Felicia, Charissa, Daniel, Luke, Ashleigh, Andrew, and Arick; 13 great grandchildren: Kylie, Brayden, Haylee, Jackson, Noah, Emma, Theo, Evie, Matthew, Aria, Jude, Iggy, and Reese. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Herman Henry and Clara Arminta Hinkle, his five brothers: Rex, Dean, George, Nolan, and Don; four sisters: Leila, Lorene, Ruth, and Rosie.
Ken was born at 3 PM on a blustery day on April 26, 1939, at the family home in rural Gordon, IL, the youngest of 10 children born to Herman Henry and Clara Arminta (nee Hutchings) Hinkle. His arrival was marked by two events: the chicken house caught on fire and a train derailment blocked the access lane, which prevented the doctor from arriving to assist in the home delivery.
He entered one room Premium School in rural Jasper County at the age of 5 where 6 of the 13 pupils were Hinkle siblings. He completed both 1st and 2nd grade schoolwork that 1st year but a change in teachers required him to redo the 2nd grade.
Ken graduated from Newton Community High School in 1956, one month after turning 17. He earned both the Math and Science achievement awards. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in September. After basic training, he attended special weapons electronic maintenance school at Lowery Air Force Base in CO and was subsequently assigned to a remote location near Bremerhaven, Germany. While in Germany he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for designing a special electronic device which greatly reduced the down time of the equipment he was responsible for operating and maintaining. He served 11 years as an electronic maintenance technician.
Upon his graduation from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Math and Statistics, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and went on to earn a master's degree in Operation Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology. After serving at HQ Air Force Base at the Pentagon in Virginia, Kirkland Air Force Base in New Mexico, and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, he retired on November 1, 1977, as a Captain. He earned the Air Force Longevity Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster.
After retiring, from the Air Force, Ken worked for 19 years as an Operations Research Analyst for McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, MO until his retirement on December 1, 1996. While at McDonnell Douglas, Ken was primarily responsible for establishing the performance and for the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), which is still in the inventory of the Air Force, Navy, and foreign allies. He also served McDonnell Douglas as an analyst for the Tomahawk Cruise Missile, E/F 18, and several advanced weapons projects.
When Ken retired from McDonnell Douglas, he began his third career as a real estate investor. He bought, rehabbed, and sold single family homes. He also purchased a multi-unit rental apartment and single-family rental homes. He retired from the real estate business in 2017.
Ken served many years at Bethel Baptist Church as a deacon, treasurer, a member of the finance committee, building committee, church planning committee as well as an advisor to Pastor Tim Lewis and his staff. Ken was a firm believer in tithing. He was also very generous with his giving, supporting various mission causes including Compassion International, Holt, and Africa Vision of Hope sponsoring needy children overseas and buying cows for families in Africa.
Ken particularly enjoyed family time, playing bridge, reading, cruising, and other travels. He will forever be missed by family and friends.
A visitation will be held at Bethel Baptist Church, 7775 Collinsville Rd. Troy, IL 62294 on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. A funeral service will follow the visitation, officiated by Senior Pastor Tim Lewis. A private burial will be held with full military honors at Buck Road Cemetery Maryville, IL 62062.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Bethel Baptist Church. They will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home 2800 North Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.