Vernon Jacob Hinkley

Funeral services for Vernon Jacob Hinkley, age 98, of Albert Lea will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel.  Rev. Cherie Daniel and Rev. Kent Otterman will officiate.  Interment will be at the Freeborn Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.   

Vernon died Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at Albert Lea Medical Center.

Vernon Jacob Hinkley was born on June 20, 1912 to George W. and Julia M (Jacobsen) Hinkley.  He graduated from Freeborn High School in 1931.  Vernon worked for his father until 1935 when he became a garage owner and automotive dealer from 1935-1988 (53 years).  On January 7, 1937 Vernon was united in marriage to Alice Collins in Gordonsville, MN.  Vernon worked in Alaska for 14 months (1943-1944) for the USED.  Through the years, Vernon was a very active community member, serving on the Freeborn Boosters, was a charter member of the Freeborn Fire Dept., Freeborn City Council and served as the Mayor of Freeborn from 1957 to 1964.  He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Wells, MN.  Vernon loved music and played in the Freeborn High School Band, Freeborn Town Band and the Alden City Band.  His outside interests included fishing and watching sports.

Survivors include his wife, Alice; daughter, Cleone Dulas of Albert Lea; sons, Charles Hinkley and Paul (Cynthia) Hinkley all of Freeborn; grandchildren, Jennifer (Michael) Jensen of Alden, Steven (Lisa) Dulas of Albert Lea, Joanna Campbell of Cottage Grove, Amy (Bryan) Schroeder of Wells, Kelly Hinkley of Red Wing, Levi Hinkley of Freeborn, Kristen Hinkley of Freeborn and Marcus Hinkley of Mankato; great-grandchildren, Katherine (Steve) Schulteis, Megan (Bobby) Schettler, Matthew Jensen, Nicholas Dulas, Ongelle, Gabriel and Josey Schroeder; brother, Floyd Hinkley; sisters, Eleanor Fjone of Albert Lea and Gladys (William) Miskoff of Hutchinson; and an host of nieces and nephews.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Lois Campbell in 1995; sons-in-law, Robert Campbell in 1998 and Philip Dulas in 1999; brothers, Irvin and Raymond; and sister, Iva Proehl.