Karl W. Hinkebein

Karl William Hinkebein, 58, of Columbia, Missouri, formerly of Oak Ridge, Missouri, passed away April 22, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri from natural causes.

He was born January 1, 1961, in Great Lakes, Illinois, to Harold Joseph and Teresa Eileen McCabe Hinkebein.  After his father completed his naval career, the family moved to Oak Ridge, Missouri.  Karl was confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek.  He was a 1979 graduate of Oak Ridge High School.  

Karl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 10, 1980.  Stationed in Groton, Connecticut, he was a submariner serving on the USS Andrew Jackson and was honorably discharged November 9, 1986.  Following his Navy tenure, he relocated to Columbia, Missouri and attended the University of Missouri.  He graduated Cum Laude with a BA degree in political science.  He subsequently applied to law school at the University of Missouri, earning a Doctorate in Law in 1993. He served in the Missouri State Public Defenders System most of his career. He was an advocate for those who had reason to believe that they were ill-served by the Justice system. He was involved in a case that was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and his legal argument was supported at that level. 

Over the last several years he struggled with health challenges, but never allowed those challenges to interfere with his ability to live life to it’s fullest. He loved sports and playing the stock market, not necessarily for the profit, but because of the challenge and competition.  He retired from his law practice a year ago, and despite health issues continued to pursue his passions.

Loving survivors include his mother, Teresa Hinkebein of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Oak Ridge; three siblings, Dr. Joseph (Patricia) Hinkebein of Columbia, Missouri, Kenneth (Laura) Hinkebein of Jackson, Missouri, and Kevin (Carol) Hinkebein of O’Fallon, Missouri; and 11 nieces and nephews, Benjamin, Andrew, Matthew, Nicholas, Emily, and Catherine Hinkebein, Jennifer Hinkebein Schwartz, Stacey Meinhart, Jesse, Alicia, and Zachary Allen.

He was preceded in death by his father, and a sister, Barbara Allen (2015).

A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek, with Father Jim French officiating.  Inurnment and military honors will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 138 St. Joseph Lane, Apple Creek, Missouri 63775, or In2Action, P. O. Box 86, Columbia, MO 65205

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

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