Obituary of Harry E. Hinkle

Harry Hinkle, 91, of St. Maries (formerly of Lewiston, Id) passed away on November 6, 2013. Harry was born in Seattle, Washington to Ernest and Mime (Devine) Hinkle on July 2, 1922. Harry grew in Port Angeles, Washington. When Harry graduated from high school he had plans of fishing in Alaska, he set sail from Port Angeles for Alaska on an old tug 35 feet long that he bought along with his father, Ernest Hinkle, and his cousin Dave Bennett. While in Alaska, World War II began and Harry joined the Navy. Harry had many interesting stories to tell about his time in the Navy as an electricians mate. Harry ran the sound for Bob Hope when he performed for the troops in Cold Bay Alaska. While still in the Navy, Harry returned from Alaska and ran a tug at Pier 91 in Seattle. After the Navy Harry moved to Lewiston Id and opened an electrical shop with Earl Stout. While in Lewiston Harry met his wife Lucille. For their first date Harry asked her to the Asotin County Fair breakfast. Lucille would have called and canceled that 5 am first date if Harry would have had a phone. Lucille laughed when telling that story throughout their 56 years of marriage. July 6, 1949 he married Lucille Agost in Moscow, ID. Harry and Lucille were loving, caring parents of two daughters Lynn Kessler and Susan Shoemaker. After selling his interest in 'Stout and Hinkle Electrical Contractors ' to Earl Stout, Harry and Lucille moved to Wolf Point, Montana in 1949 where his dad and brother-in-law were building houses. Harry worked as an electrician. For Christmas Harry surprised his home sick wife, Lucille, with train tickets to Lewiston. Harry returned to Wolf Point, loaded what belongings would fit in his truck, selling the rest, and moved them back to Lewiston. Harry went to work at Potlatch Forest Industries, and after 28 years as an electrician on the Pulp and Paper, he retired from Potlatch Corporation. Harry was a 65 year member of the IBEW Electrical Union. Harry was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, and the Elks Lodge. In 1980 their daughter, Susan, and her family moved to Pierce Id, where Harry and Lucille made wonderful friends and enjoyed spending their time. They bought 20 acres outside of Weippe, Id after Harry's retirement, he built an apartment for Lucille and himself, and a barn for his 13 horses and mules. Harry loved his horses and enjoyed many years of packing into hunting camp with his son-in-law Del Shoemaker, and numerous friends over the years. Later his two oldest grandsons were able to join in hunting camp where great stories were told and memories were made. Growing up his daughter Susan, enjoyed their summer trips to Boulder Flats then packing into Long Lake with her dad on horseback. Harry enjoyed pastimes of hunting, fishing, and camping. Harry had a desire for adventure, lived life fully, and was always learning new things. His one regret was never getting his pilot license. Upon retirement he attended LCSC learning to weld, he enjoyed building trailers, including his own 7 horse trailer. He was a HAM Radio operator. Harry was a man of many trades, an inventor, and could do anything he put his mind to. He spent countless hours on his computer working on family genealogy, creating genealogy books / CD's for his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Later, with the encouragement from family and friends, he started writing short stories about his childhood, and life adventures. In 2006 Lucille passed away and Harry moved to St. Maries in 2008 to be near his daughter and son-in-law. Hospice of North Idaho assisted in providing dad's end-of-life comfort care. Dad often said how he met so many wonderful people through Hospice, both during his care, and the care of his wife, Lucille during her Alzheimer's. September of this year Harry was the first Benewah County veteran to be honored by Hospice of North Idaho, for his service in the Navy. Oct 19th he was escorted by three Coast Guard Chief petty officers in full dress uniform to the Benewah County Veteran's Memorial Dedication. These two honors meant so much to him, and were the highlight of his year. Dad will be greatly missed by his surviving family including his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Del Shoemaker of St. Maries; Daughter, Lynn Kessler; Grandsons, Allen (Bucky) and Dani Shoemaker of St. Maries; Jon (Woody) and Farrell Kessler of Boise; Mark Hinkle and Lyle Kessler; Granddaughters, Tawnya and Cory Mundell of Lewiston, Sara Kessler; Great- granddaughters, Rozlynn Shoemaker of St. Maries; Cierra, Emily and Aliyah Mundell all of Lewiston; Great-grandsons, Cory Mundell of Lewiston; Danny and Henry Kessler of Boise; Charlie Kessler; Landon Hinkle; and his beloved dog Babe. Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille; his sister Barbara (Hinkle) Langager; and son-in-law: John Kessler. Our family extends a special heartfelt thanks to Dr. Karen Libsch, his exceptional caregivers, and Hospice of North Idaho, for providing loving care, compassion, and dignity during Harry's final time on Earth. We will miss dad's great sense of humor, his songs, laughter, and good advice. He was a compassionate and caring man, who loved his family deeply. Sharing his life stories or his songs is a wonderful memorial to him. If you wish to honor his life with a monetary memorial the family suggests Hospice of North Idaho, Lewis-Clark Animal Shelter of Lewiston, or Hopes Haven Animal Shelter of St. Maries. There will be a celebration of his life Saturday November 16, 2013 11:00 am at St. James Catholic Church , 1519 Ripon Avenue, Lewiston, ID. a gathering of family and friends will follow services at the church with interment of the cremated remains at Normal Hill Cemetery at 2:00 pm. Read Harry Hinkle's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.