George Joseph Hinlicky

GEORGE JOSEPH HINLICKY George Joseph Hinlicky went home to be with his Lord on September 14, 2007. He always belonged to the Lord, but his life of 84 years was shared with us as adored husband of Miriam L. Stokes Hinlicky, as dearest father of Holly St. John, David Hinlicky, Deborah Kury, Jane Lauritsen and Wynemah Hinlicky, and as beloved grandfather of 13 grandchildren. George was born on March 18, 1923 in Byram, Connecticut to Paul and Anna Hinlicky, both immigrants from Slovakia. Following high school graduation, George served his country as a Navy Lieutenant and was commissioned as an Aircraft Carrier Pilot during World War II. George attended Valparaiso University, but graduated from Purdue University in aeronautical engineering. While they attended Purdue, Miriam and George were open to a call to foreign missionary work. To prepare for mission service, George completed a B.A. in Education from Seward Lutheran Concordia in Nebraska. George and Miriam received further training by Wycliff Bible Translators, and then concluded preparation for the mission field at St. Louis Lutheran Seminary. In January of 1953, George received the call to go to Papua, New Guinea as an educational missionary among the Enga people. After five years on the mission field, George took furlough, returning to the U.S.A. to earn his Master's Degree at Columbia University, New York. He then returned to New Guinea to serve until 1964. Upon his return to the U.S.A. with his family, George accepted a call as principal and 7th and 8th grade teacher at St. Matthews Lutheran Day School in New Britain, Connecticut. George dedicated 20 years to the Lutheran Church as missionary and educator. In 1970 he became a science teacher in the public schools of Farmington, Connecticut for 17 years. Teaching was George's life. George retired in 1987 to Vero Beach, Florida where he resided at Countryside. Throughout his retirement, George traveled extensively around the world, enjoyed golf, wood carving, was an avid reader, and taught adult literacy with VISTA, all this time faithful in his service to his church. In it's essence, George's sojourn on this earth was the abundant life in the Lord as a faithful witness of Jesus Christ. He loved his Lord! So we rejoice and celebrate his life and our joy in the Lord Jesus Christ. A memorial service will be held Friday, September 28, 2007 at 2:00pm at Living Lord Lutheran Church, 2725 58th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Living Lord Lutheran Church, for the International Highland Lutheran School, in Papua, New Guinea.