EMMANUEL (MEL) HINKEL

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EMMANUEL (MEL) HINKEL Emmanuel Hinkel passed away after a brief illness in the late hours of April 5, 2006 at the Seven Oaks General Hospital. On May 27, he would have celebrated his 86th birthday. Mel was the youngest son and the last remaining child of Conrad and Katherine Hinkel. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Kay and Hilda and by brothers Henry and Alex. He will be sadly and especially missed by his nephew Wayne and wife Diane and their children Dayna and husband Darren, (Carson, Payton) and Baron and his wife Amanda; special friends Olga and Don Brethauer; sisters-in-law Edna Alexander and Gladys Spratt (Fred) of Ottawa; great-niece Dorie Kuehn (Kevin) and great-nephew Greg Holobitsky. Mel was born and raised in Winnipeg. He was a member of the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of the Canadian German Society. He was also a Mason belonging to Acacia Lodge No. 111. During the Second World War he served with the Canadian Horse Artillery attaining the rank of Sergeant. While briefly stationed at Shilo, he met the love of his life Doris Hawson from Brandon. They were married on June 9, 1946 and were together until her passing in 1999. After the war, he joined the Winnipeg Fire Department as a fire fighter. In 1958 he became a Fire Prevention Officer until his retirement in 1982. He was extremely proud to wear the uniform. Mel enjoyed golf and curling and was proficient at both. His daily routine usually included feeding and playing with his neighbours Marie and Manny's dogs, driving to Garden City Shopping Centre to have a coffee and to socialize with friends. He enjoyed his Friday visits to the Thunderbird Restaurant with the Brethauers. Holidays, birthdays and special events were always spent with family and friends either at Wayne's or at Dayna's houses. In earlier days, he and Doris had many good times travelling together with Olga and Dave Brethauer and with his brother Alex and wife Kay. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 11:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Interment to follow in Brookside Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made to the Fire Fighters' Burn Fund or the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mel (Uncle Monny) will be sadly missed but not forgotten. Cropo Funeral Chapel 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 10, 2006