Richard "Dick" Hinkle

Richard “Dick” Hinkle, 78, of rural Newtown, Missouri, passed away at his home on Sunday, January 30, 2022. Richard was born in Lewistown, Missouri, on June 2, 1943, to the late Harold Leroy and Alice Marie (Hildmann) Hinkle. He graduated from Lewistown High School in 1961 where he was very active playing basketball and baseball.

Dick married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Deanie Spindler, in Monticello, Missouri, on April 19, 1964. Dick and Deanie were married for 57 years and 10 ½ months, however, they had been sweethearts since Deanie was in the 7 ^th grade.

Dick worked for the Lewis County REC until moving his family to Putnam County in 1969 when he began working for North Central REC in Milan, Missouri.  He retired in 2000 after 32 years of dedicated service to REC.  In addition to working as a lineman, Dick raised horses and cattle. He spent countless hours sharing his love of horses and roping to anyone who was interested, but especially his children.  He and Deanie hauled their children thousands of miles to high school rodeos.  Dick never knew a stranger and met many wonderful friends through rodeo.  He was honored in 1993 by the Missouri High School Rodeo Association for his years of service as Arena Director from 1980-1993. Once his kids had completed high school, he was able to enjoy competing more himself by traveling to USTRC ropings and local jackpots.

Besides roping and rodeo, Dick was an avid hunter.  He enjoyed hunting with many friends, but his favorite hunting buddies were his family: his kids, grandkids, nephews, and his brother.

Dick is survived by his wife, Deanie, and three children: Rick (Jimmie Lou) Hinkle of Powersville, Missouri; Nikki Hinkle; and Brad (Brenda) Hinkle all of Unionville, Missouri. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Jesse (Shelby) Hinkle of Higbee, Missouri; Joel (Josie) Hinkle of Powersville, Missouri; Jaden (fiancé Erin Sayre) Hinkle, Mason Hinkle, Lucas Hinkle, and Kalyn Hinkle, all of Unionville, Missouri; and two great grandchildren, Trik and Krae Hinkle.  Other survivors are his brother, Bill Hinkle of Lewistown, Missouri; sisters Opal Mae Richardson of Richmond, Missouri, and Patricia (Terry) Bell of Canton, Missouri; sister-in-law Shirley Hinkle of Canton, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Junior and Dorothy Spindler; one brother, Marvin Leroy Hinkle; a sister, Erma Katherine Hinkle; brother-in-law John Richardson; and sister-in-law Okle Hinkle.

Funeral services for Dick Hinkle will be at the Newtown Christian Church at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2022.  Visitation will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville from 5:00 – 7:00 on Friday, February 4. Interment will be at the Newtown Cemetery.

Memorials may be made payable to Newtown Christian Church or Newtown Saddle Club and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th St., Unionville, MO  63565.