Obituary of John Blair Hinkle

John Blair Hinkle, age 78, of Wytheville, VA passed away on August 5, 2022. He was born in Kelly Township, PA to the late Harold Foss Hinkle and Helen Kline Hinkle. John attended Montgomery High School in Lycoming County, PA where he excelled in football and baseball. After high school he attended Lenoir Rhyne College and played football. During his college years he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and pulled a tour of duty in Vietnam before returning to Lenoir Rhyne to finish his degree, graduating in 1970. After graduation John became a history teacher and football coach at several high schools throughout the years, most notably Fort Chiswell, VA Tech, Salem and Southampton Academy. He loved working with kids and was a mentor to many. Survivors left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Lynda Dean Hinkle; 1 son, John L. Hinkle, of Franklin, VA; 1 stepdaughter, Deana Pennington, of Peterstown, WV (& Darrin); 4 grandchildren, John F. Hinkle, of Franklin, VA (&Taylor); Ashten Hinkle, of Shelby, NC (& fiance Dalton Putnam); Kelli Pennington, of Peterstown, WV (& fiance Adam Dixon); and Kris Pennington, of Peterstown, WV; 1 great-grandchild, Ronan Hinkle, of Franklin, VA; 1 sister, Barbara H. Williams, of Norfolk, VA (& Jim); 2 brothers, Tom Hinkle, of Chattanooga, TN (& Susie), and Scott Hinkle, of Strasburg, VA (& Dawn). John was preceded in death by his sister, Christine H. Clarkson, and his infant daughter, Dawn Arlee Hinkle. Memorial service will be held 11 A.M. Thursday, August 18, 2022 at the Wytheville First Church of God conducted by Reverend Don Sunshine. The family will receive friends at the church Thursday from 10 A.M. until service time. A graveside service will be held 1 P.M. 0n Thursday August 18, 2022 at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wytheville First Church of God, 1135 Cove Rd., Wytheville, VA 24382, or Lenoir Rhyne Bears Club, P. O. Box 7467, Hickory, NC 28603. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.