Joel Steven Hinkle

Joel Steven Hinkle, of Jamestown, passed away Friday, May 16, 2025, at his home. He was 74 years of age.

Born November 11, 1950, in Bedford, Indiana, he was 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 thirty 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 include his wife, Carolyn, of Jamestown; one son, Michael (and Mandy) Hinkle, of Russell Springs; one daughter, Patricia Hinkle (and Perry Brumley), of Jamestown; two brothers; Kevin (and Becky) Hinkle, of Denim Springs, Louisiana, and Kent Hinkle, of Fairbanks, Alaska; one sister, Susan (and Dean) Schatz, of Spring Hill, Tennessee; seven grandchildren; Samantha Sinclair, Brittany Sinclair (and Tyler Salmon), Mackenzie Hinkle, Madelyn Hinkle, Aiden Hinkle, Remington Smith, and Isabella Hinkle; five great-grandchildren, Bristol Wheeler, Tatum Wheeler, Bentley Salmon, Hallie Mae Salmon, and Kamari Salmon; and his fur baby, Ashton.

Funeral services are 2:00 PM Monday, May 19, 2025, at Bernard Funeral Home, with Brother Daryl Coe officiating. Burial will follow in Free Union Cemetery with full military honors performed by the DAV Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 PM on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Bernard Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be 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 in the form of memorial contributions be made to Free Union Cemetery Fund. These can be made at the funeral home or mailed to the c/o Brenda Shepherd, 153 Hoot Owl Holler, Columbia, KY 42728.

Arrangements for Mr. Joel Hinkle are under the care and direction of Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.

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