Milton Leroy Hinkle

Milton Leroy Hinkle, age 80, Sheldon, MO was born on June 23, 1944 to Ralph Hamilton and Charlotte Marie Carpenter Hinkle at Hornecker Hospital in Sheldon and passed away on October 11, 2024 at Joplin Mercy Hospital after battling several chronic illnesses.

Milton loved his family and especially enjoyed his grandson, DJ and Great Grandchildren Caliber and Luretta.   He is survived by his wife of 57 years Mary Jane Ratterree Hinkle of the home, son Randy Hinkle and wife Patricia of Andale, KS, daughter Lisa Hinkle of Sheldon, Grandson Donald (DJ) Beason and Gr. Grandson Caliber Leroy Beason and Gr.  Granddaughter Luretta Ann Dion Beason of Sheldon.   Also survived by sister Joy Lavonne Snyder and husband Steve of Warsaw, MO and numerous nieces, nephews, and several sisters-in-law.   He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leonard Hinkle, Charles Hinkle, Amos Hinkle, Laverne Hinkle, and Roy Hinkle.

Milton had a passion for farming, carpentry, hunting, fishing, and the St. Louis Cardinals.  In 1970, Milton and Mary Jane purchased 160 acres adjoining the farm where he grew up and built the home where they raised their family and remained there for the rest of his life.

He was a 1962 graduate of Bronaugh High School and later served in the National Guard for six years during the Vietnam War era and their unit was set to be deployed there when the Martin Luther King riots broke out in Kansas City and were sent there instead.

Milton carpentered with his brother Amos Hinkle for several years, then farmed raising hogs, cattle and row cropping for many years.  In 1982 he began as substitute rural mail carrier and took over the MFA/Shelter Insurance agency in Sheldon along with his wife Mary Jane.    He later became full time rural carrier until his retirement in 2007.

Milton was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge for 58 years.  He served on the Bronaugh School Board, Drywood Township Trustee, Sheldon Methodist Church Board of Trustees, Sheldon Cemetery Board, was Randy’s Little League Baseball coach for many years and Scout Cubmaster. He was proud to have attended the Sheldon Old Settlers Picnic every year of his life except the year he was in Guard Basic Training.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Wayne Coble officiating. Interment will follow in Sheldon Cemetery in Sheldon, MO. The family will receive friends from 1:30 -2:30 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sheldon Methodist Church or Sheldon Cemetery Association.

You may view obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com