Lesley E. "Les" Hinkle

Cross Plains, WI:  Lesley E. “Les” Hinkle, 56, of Cross Plains, Wisconsin, formerly of Hancock, passed away unexpectedly, following a cardiac arrest, on Friday August 24, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin.

     In 1966 at the age of four, he and his family moved to live in Ripley. Les attended Hancock Schools and graduated from Hancock High School with the class of 1980. Later he earned his Associates Degree from Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland.

     Les lived and worked in Alabama for 15 years as a die setter and at a plumbing business. He then moved to Maryland, later returning to the Copper Country. He lived in Hancock for several years before moving to Cross Plains, Wisconsin.

     He believed in God and the lessons taught in the Bible. Les was a person who had an outgoing personality, had compassion for others, and was sensitive to their needs. When health became an issue, he relied greatly on assistance from his brother Chris for getting him the help he needed.

     He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Florence Shea, and by several aunts and uncles.

     He was the beloved son of Bill and Nancy “Peachy” Balma of Misery Bay; dear brother of Kim (Paul) Buda of Houghton, Christian Hinkle of Waunakee, WI, and Beth (Fr. Gregory) Joyce of Saline, Michigan; uncle of Holly (Chad) Herrick, Paul Buda, Nick Buda, Maria Joyce, Michael Joyce, and Natasha Joyce; friend of caregiver Raechal Betler and 4 daughters; a nephew of Kathleen Sundstrom and Clint Sundstrom; a cousin to several other family members; and a friend to many.

     Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, August 31, 2018 at the O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock with Rev. Chuck Williams to officiate. Interment will be private.

     Friends may call at the funeral home for an hour before the services on Friday.   

     The O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting with the funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Grace United Methodist Church of Houghton.

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