Charles Franklin HINKLE

HINKLE, Charles Franklin - age 87, of Swartz Creek, died Saturday, April 7, 2012. Funeral services will be held 12:00 PM Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Charles was born November 5, 1924 in Elizabethton, Tennessee the son of Smith Lee Hinkle Sr. and Annis Grindstaff. Charles joined the Navy at age 17 with permission from his father (his mother passed away in 1940 due to complications of pregnancy). He served on the Destroyer, USS Mayo during the Battles of Salerno and Anzio beachheads. After the Mayo had been torpedoed by a German submarine, they were towed back across the Atlantic for repairs. He was transferred to the Pacific theatre and served on PT boats in the same squadron as John F. Kennedy. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. Charles and Betty Jo Johnson met as children and he actually delivered the newspaper to her family. He proposed to her and they were married on April 21, 1946. He obtained his GED and went to East Tennessee State University. He graduated Suma Cum Laude. He taught school briefly in Gastonia, North Carolina and eventually moved to Flint, Michigan where he taught (Industrial Education) at Utley High School (eventually became a part of the Carmen-Ainsworth district). He received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. He also, earned a Master of Arts degree from Northwestern University, specializing in Vocational Education. He worked for the State of Michigan, Vocational Rehabilitation for many years as a deputy director for the Flint region. He became the Director of Vocational Education at Clinton Valley Center until he retired, for the first time. But this was only the beginning of a new chapter. He taught at the Mott Adult Education for many years. He then, retired for a second time. Although retirement was only a means to do other things, he was also a licensed builder as was his father. He built and remodeled many homes in Michigan. Along with his son, Ray, he founded Hinkle and Associates. The company was a general contractor involved in commercial real estate projects in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Flint areas, and other projects in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 151 (Wm. G. Haan Red Arrow) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Charles was a past member of the Christian Church of Swartz Creek and Elizabethton, Tennessee. He lived in the Swartz Creek area since 1952. His wife, Betty Jo, was the love of his life and they were married for 64 years until her passing in 2010. Their family is grateful for the many blessings of faith and love. Charles had a great sense of humor which was evident to those who knew him. As he would always retort, "Are you Neat, Clean and Tidy?" Yes, Dad we are. He is survived by children, Ray W. (Susan L.) Hinkle and Penny Ann Hinkle Bennett; grandchildren, Gretchen M Hinkle, Niki Bennett (Tom) Grimes and Joshua (Courtney) Bennett; great-grandchildren, Olivia Grimes, Natalee Bennett and Alexis Bennett; sister-in-law, Edna Johnson Arnett of Elizabethton, Tennessee and many nieces and nephews. Charles is preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas Hinkle and Smith Lee Hinkle Jr.; sisters, Sandra Hinkle Smith and Ruth Hinkle; grandson, Breton W. Hinkle (1977-2009) and many nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be posted to the obituaries page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com

Visitation

Saturday, April 14, 2012 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Miller Road Chapel
8138 Miller Road Swartz Creek 48473, United States

Funeral Service

Saturday, April 14, 2012 12:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Miller Road Chapel
8138 Miller Road Swartz Creek 48473, United States