Fred E. "Fritz" Hinkle, 58, Richmond, Ky., formerly of the Streator area, husband of Linda Durand Hinkle, passed away Monday (Nov. 17, 2008) at his home.

Visitation will be after noon Thursday at Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home, Richmond, Ky., followed his funeral at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The Rev. Gene Strange will officiate.

The Hinkle family requests donations to Hospice Care Center, in lieu of flowers, to thank them for their caring support during Fritz's illness. Please send donations to the Compassionate Care Center, 350 Isaacs Lane, Richmond, KY 40475.

He was born Aug. 13, 1950, in Streater, son of the late Glenn and Betty B. Hinkle.

Fritz moved to Richmond 12 years ago, where he used his journeyman certification to work as a skilled machinist. Prior to moving to Kentucky, Fritz was a professional shrimper, out of Charleston, S.C., then Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Fritz was also a masterful woodworker whose creations were accepted and shown by the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen. He was known as a man who could build or fix anything; but most importantly, as a man who took care of his family.

Fritz will be deeply missed by his friends and family, who include his wife of 15 years, Linda Hinkle; his sons and their families, Marc (Shandel) Hinkle, sons Brody and Tony, and Scott (Heather) Hinkle; sons, Trea and Seth; his brothers and their families, William (Treva) Hinkle, sons Tony and Jimmy; David and Phyllis Hinkle, daughters, Jane, Teresa (and her son Jake); and Tom (Tammy) Hinkle, daughter Melissa Blankenship; his sister-in-law and her daughter, Nancy and Molly Durand; his sister-in-law and her husband, Sheila (Joseph) Rogers; his mother-in-law and her husband, Muriel (James) Ferrell; and special friends, Alice Osborn, Dave and Rita McCord, Dr. Hanan Budeiri and Charlotte Gross, R.N.

To express condolences, visit our Web site at www.orpfh.com .