DONGOLA, Ill. — Jean R. Hinkle, 79, of Dongola and formerly of Jackson, passed away at 10:04 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Feb. 18, 1943, in Belleville, Illinois, and adopted by Edward O. and Bess Rodgers Baierbach of Elmhurst, Illinois, in October 1943. She married Bennie Hinkle on June 13, 1987, and he survives.

Jean was a graduate of York High School in Elmhurst and attended Shawnee Community College. She worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge. She loved horses, birdwatching, dogs, gardening and playing piano. She also enjoyed RV traveling with her husband, Ben. She was a great cook and was always eager to teach her skill. She was of the Lutheran faith and was a member of First Lutheran Church of Dongola for more than 35 years. Her family was her joy above all.

She is survived by her husband, Ben Hinkle of Dongola; daughter, Susan (Tim) McDowell of Jackson; sons, Scott (Carrie) Krause of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Jerry Krause of Dongola; grandchildren, Brett (Laura) McDowell, Blake (Rhea) McDowell, Taylor (Logan) McDowell, Alynna (Cody) Hillman and Hadyn Krause; great-grandchildren, Brantley McDowell, Eleanor McDowell, Eli McDowell and Oliver McDowell; and nieces, Jenny Dudasik of Glendale Heights, Illinois, and Carol Sue Melton of Clermont, Florida.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Susan B. Alley; and her best friend she considered a sister, Martha A. Vandivort.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at First Lutheran Church of Dongola.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at the church, with the Rev. Cherie Riedel officiating. Interment will follow at a later date at Hinkle Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hinkle Cemetery or First Lutheran Church of Dongola.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.