Harvey Eugene Hinz

Harvey Eugene Hinz

April 21, 1931 - June 12, 2019

McCOOK, Neb. — Harvey Eugene Hinz, of rural McCook, made his heavenly departure at 1:15 a.m. on June 12, 2019. He was 88 years old.

Harvey was born on April 21, 1931, in Red Willow County near Indianola, to parents, Reinhard Eugene and Edna Marie (Brietling) Hinz. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed in 1944 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he remained a member until his passing. He attended rural school near his home.

In 1951, he served with the National Guard until 1953, at which time he entered the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1955.

On Feb. 17, 1952, he was united in marriage to his beautiful bride, Erma Elizabeth Fritz, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. To this union six children were born. The family made their home on a farm in rural McCook. Harvey worked for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad as an engineer until his retirement in 1996. As if a full-time job and being a father of six amazing children wasn’t enough, in his spare time he also raised cattle, grew wheat, corn and milo, and operated a 50-cow dairy.

Harvey was widely known for his “Burlington Little Line” home-built railroad, where he ran smaller scaled replicas of large trains. Every year, Harvey and Erma hosted an open house when the community was invited to ride his and his friends’ trains. Harvey’s family and friends loved him for his sense of humor and his warm and giving heart. He always had a great story to tell that would put a smile on your face and leave an impression on your heart and had a way of making you feel like the most important person in the world. His love for his family and his strong faith were unwavering.

Harvey was a lifetime member (88 years) of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he sang in the choir and served in many capacities. He was a member of the American Legion and served on the Board of Directors for High Plains Museum, High Plains Model Railroad, and KNGN Christian Radio. He served on the school board for District’s 31 and 50 for over 20 years.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, Reinhard and Edna Hinz; brother, Clifford Hinz; and his son, Russell Duane Hinz.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Erma Hinz of McCook; son, Gary Hinz and wife, Barb, of McCook; daughters, Lynda and husband, Larry Ruppert, of McCook, Connie and husband, Phil Gildersleeve, of O’Neill, Vickie and husband, James Polk, of Lincoln and Lisa Hinz (Harvey’s favorite and also author of obituary) and significant other, Eric Groth, of Parker, Colo.; grandchildren, Brianne (Beau) Linn and their sons, Reeve and Jenson of Bellevue, Nicholas (Alissa) Hinz and their daughter, Addilynn, of Omaha, Cherri (Marty) Lashley and their children, Colton and Cameron of McCook, Dixie (Tim) Honn and their children, Bailey and Tori of McCook, Jackie (Kris) Sayer and their children Hadley and Brenley Johnson, and Ryton of Wallace, Levi (Frances) Ruppert of Jacksonville, Fla., Heath (Sarah) Lichty of Bennington, Sean Gildersleeve of O’Neill, Steve Gildersleeve (Megan) and their children, Berkleigh and Brysen of Lincoln, Christa Gildersleeve of San Diego, Calif., Jenna (Matt) Landgren and their children, Logan and Rhett and one due in July of 2019, of Bartlett, Jessica (Marcus) Gubanyi and their son, Gabe, Andrew Polk and Ashton Polk all of Lincoln; numerous family and a host of friends.

Memorials may be given in his name to St. John’s Lutheran Church or KNGN Christian Radio.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 16, 2019, 2 to 7 p.m. at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Family will be greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funeral service will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural McCook, on Monday, June 17, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Justin Hildebrand officiating. Burial will follow in the St. John’s Cemetery.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook entrusted with arrangements.