Jeffrey L. Hinkle

Jeffrey L. Hinkle, 68, of Homer, passed away Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family following a short battle with cancer.

Jeff was born June 26, 1948, in Hillsdale, Mich., to Billy and Rosemary (Barnes) Hinkle. He graduated from Hanover-Horton Schools in 1966. Jeff attended Jackson College for two years and was recruited by Tri-State University to play basketball. After one year, he came home for the summer, and after four dates, and over four years he asked the love of his life, June, to marry him. On Dec. 27, 1969, he married June A. Middlebrook in Jackson at the First United Methodist Church. Over the course of the 46 years of marriage they had five beautiful children. He would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University, his master’s degree from Siena Heights University, and an advance educational specialist degree from Eastern Michigan University.

Jeff was an educator his whole life. He started his teaching career at Western Community Schools in Parma as a history teacher and later would be the principal for six years. Following that he became the assistant principal at Columbia Central High School for 23 years until he accepted the position of principal of Homer Community Schools for 6-½ years. He later would retire from Jackson Area Career Center in 2010. He didn’t let his retirement hold him back from helping teach young people. He went back to Homer Community Schools and worked as a paraprofessional in the early learning class for three years and resigned in 2016 due to illness. Jeff was active in the Boy Scouts as an adolescent and he achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 15. He was a member of the Brooklyn Jaycees, The Lions Club, a leader of the Jacktown Packers, and became a member in 2014 and served as president of the Big 9 Sportsman Club for two years until he resigned in 2016 due to illness. Jeff enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with friends and family especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed teaching, sharing lessons and stories with everyone he talked to. His words and memory will forever be remembered by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, June of Homer; mother, Rosemary Hinkle of Jackson; children, Joshua (Leslie) Hinkle of Livonia, Emily (Daniel) Weeks of Concord, Amanda (David) Hoyt of Homer, Olivia (Dustin) Hotchkin of Concord, and Geoffrey Blake Hinkle of Homer; grandchildren, Quin, Billie, Georgia, Sidney, Iyla, Kennedy, Colton, Jackson, Peyton, Flynn, Drake, and Addilynn; sisters, Claudette Bisbee of New Mexico, Kimberly (Bill) Hinkle of Parma, and Mary Hinkle of Pullman; nieces, Dawn McGuire and Denise Gallegos. He was preceded in death by his father, Billy Earl Hinkle.

Visitation took place at the Kempf Family Funeral Home, Homer Chapel, 303 S. Hillsdale, Homer, Friday Aug. 26, 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m. with family present to greet friends at that time and again Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016.  Funeral services celebrating his life took place at 1 p.m. at the Kempf Family Funeral Homes, Homer Chapel Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, with the Rev. Linda Farmer-Lewis officiating. Family gathered with friends following the services at the Big 9 Sportsman Club.

Family requests friends give memorial contributions to the Jeffery Hinkle Memorial Scholarship or to the Big 9 Sportsman Club. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Funeral Homes. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guest book at kempffuneralhome.com.

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