Joel Steven Hinkle, 74, of Jamestown, KY passed away Friday, May 16, 2025 at his home. He was born November 11, 1950 in Bedford, Indiana, a son of the late Roy and Juanita Eddington Hinkle.
Joel previously worked at Fruit of the Loom and was a United States Army Vietnam Veteran, having earned the National Defense Service and the Good Conduct Medals. He honorably served as a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years in Fayetteville, North Carolina and Russell Springs; and served as the Assistant Fire Chief for the Jamestown Fire Department. Joel also worked as a 911 Dispatcher, Deputy Coroner, and Emergency Medical Technician. There was no doubt that he loved his community, as this was evident in his service to them. Joel was a former member and Sunday School Superintendent at Free Union Separate Baptist Church and a current member and Assistant Superintendent at Green River Valley Separate Baptist Church. Joel was most proud of his family and always made time for them; he was known to say that they were his world. Joel enjoyed hunting and fishing.
In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by one brother, Jim Hinkle.
SURVIVORS:
His wife: Carolyn Hinkle of Jamestown
1 son: Michael (Mandy) Hinkle of Russell Springs
1 daughter: Patricia Hinkle of Jamestown
2 brothers: Kevin (Becky) Hinkle of Denim Springs, Louisiana and Kent Hinkle of Fairbanks, Alaska
1 sister: Susan (Dean) Schatz of Spring Hill, Tennessee
7 grandchildren: Samantha Sinclair, Brittany Sinclair, Mackenzie Hinkle, Madelyn Hinkle, Aiden Hinkle, Remington Smith, and Isabella Hinkle
4 great-grandchildren: Bristol Wheeler, Tatum Wheeler, Bentley Salmon and Hallie Mae Salmon
His fur baby: Ashton
Funeral Service: Monday, May 19, 2025 at 2:00pmCT at Bernard Funeral Home with Bro. Daryl Coe officiating
Burial: Free Union Cemetery with full military honors performed by the DAV Honor Guard
Visitation: After 12:00pmCT on Monday at the funeral home
Pallbearers: Members of the Russell Springs Fire Department: Mark Barnett, Bobby Johnson, Jeff Wilson, Kevin Stephens, Hooty Stephens, Blake Hadley, Rodney Wright, and Skyler Silverman
The family requests that donations be in the form of memorial contributions to the Free Union Cemetery Fund. These can be made at the funeral home or mailed to: Free Union Cemetery Fund c/o Brenda Shepherd, 153 Hoot Owl Holler, Columbia, KY 42728.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.
