Milton Albert Hinchman
April 12, 1947 - June 14, 2012
Obituary
Milton Hinchman born on April 12 1947 at 9:32 pm at Methodist Hospital in Gary Indiana to Wayne and Matilda Hinchman. He went to grade school and high school in Gary. Milton attended Emerson High School where he excelled on the Wrestling Team. He loved gym class and set a record doing 1000 sit-ups during one class and the record has never been beaten. Milt was also in ROTC all four year of high school. After graduation he started working for E J & E Railroad inside of US Steel. After a few months Uncle Sam requested Milt’s presence so he chose the Army. After basic training he went into advanced training. He was sent to France originally but the French government kicked the Americans out so they were sent to Germany where he worked in a classified job having to do with supplies.
In 1970 Milt met Cheryl Heike and they dated until their wedding on September 7th 1972. Thomas their first child was born on April 3, 1973 and Kristie their second child was born on April 28, 1976. They lived in Portage, Indiana for nine years. Tom and Kristie were both into sports and Milt was always there to help. He was an assistant coach for Tommy’s little league team and also an assistant coach for Kristie’s softball team. When he was not an assistant he was asked to umpire the games which he did with great pride and a boisterous voice. When Tom was in Pop Warner football as a family we never missed a practice or a game. In fact we use to decorate the cars and make posters and caravan to every game. After the games the parents would take the kids to Shakey’s for dinner, win or lose because we were proud of the kids and their efforts.
In 1985 Milt and family moved to Washington State. They moved into the Sandpiper Apartments in the beginning and would go occasionally to the VIP Tavern where he met a lot of people and became friends with Betty and Delores the owners of the Tavern. In 1987 they moved to Federal Way Washington and by coincidence Betty bought a tavern in Federal Way called the Tall Timbers. He and Cher started going in on Friday nights. They started having Karaoke at the Timbers and that was right up Milt’s alley. Milt loved to sing and it didn’t matter if he was good he just wanted everybody to have a good time and they all loved him for that. His most favorite song was Ghost Riders in the Sky. When he got up to sing the song we all grabbed the plastic ashtrays on the tables and would use them to make the sound of horse hoofs. We all had such a great time back then. Milt and Cher were on a bowling team and shot darts on a team for the Timbers. We didn’t do that great but had a lot of fun trying.
In 1996 Milt had a stroke and that ended his Karaoke because he had a lot of trouble reading the words. We still went but he just didn’t enjoy it as much.
Tom married in 2003 and they had their first child Zoe in 2005 and 15 months later Tyler was born. They were both such a joy. Up until about two months before Milt passed Cher and Milt would have the kids spend the night every other weekend when possible. We would take them to feed the ducks or to the park. Every Christmas we would take them to see the Christmas lights. We would bundle them up with coats, hats, gloves and blankets and then put the top down on the car so they could see better. Because Milt was sick for so long he couldn’t get down and play with the kids like he would have liked to do but he did enjoy having them around. I’m sure he is in heaven watching over all of us.
Tommy’s thought on his Dad:
Dad could make the easiest task look the most difficult.
Dad had this game that we played where he would call out College initials and I would give him the full name of the college
The first time dad saw me play the drums in a band he came up to the stage and I leaned over to say Hi he gave me a hug and said he was so proud of me and had no idea where I got the talent to play like I did.
The last time dad saw me play he said he was amazed at how far I had come from playing the drums to front stage singer and how confident I was on stage that it just looked like I was born to perform.
Kristie remembers her dad:
When we first moved to Seattle dad would drop Tom off at school and then he would take me to either Denny’s for breakfast (cinnamon toast) or Dunkin donuts in Burien.
Dad umpiring my softball games and leaning into my back when he didn’t like the crap I was giving to the batter.
Dad and I would always watch Snapped or 48 Hours on Sundays together. We both loved movies with a lot of body count.
Dad liked to call Pedro “little rapture”
Dad and I had the same sense of humor and loved to drive mom crazy.
We also loved eating raw potatoes and tomato sandwiches.
Cher’s thoughts:
He was the love of my life.
Forty one years, threw the ups and downs there was no one I would have rather spent those years with than him.
I will miss him dearly
You are our guardian angel!
Please come to help us celebrate his life on July 7th. There will be food and beverages.
My dad was my best friend… we talked on the phone several times a day and he always called to say good night before he went to sleep. We spent every Sunday together after I moved back from Arizona. I will miss him more then you will know.
*the car was his baby! haa
We used to live 2 houses from each other on Pennsylvania St. I went to Jones school with Tommy and remember little Kristie always getting into our business. Mr and Mrs.Hinchman always welcomed me into there home. I remember spending many nites there. I was 12 when you moved away but have many memories of Mr Hinchman. My condolences to your family.
Reading this brought back a lot of memories when we were little. Like swimming at your house and playing as kids. Aunt Cheryl, I will never forget you cheering at Tommy’s football games shaking those rock filed milk jugs and you yelling in excitement. I wish we weren’t so far away but I’m thinking of all of you & sending love your way!
You raised a strong princess! I am humbled to have her her as a sweet friend in my life. Daddy’s girl is a definite knock off the old block…..she’s a strong soul and daughter. Mr. Hinchman you raised her right and she touches the lives of all she’s around in a positive way…she is the warrior for her family and you should be proud.
Thank you Mr and Mrs Hinchman for approving the Flower Garden for a great place for Kristie to move into many years ago. I have been blessed to have her as a neighbor and sincere friend for several years now and had the pleasure of being present during the late night calls from her Dad to her, witnessing the closeness between them and the love and humor shared as well, all truly a special gift for them both! Mr. Hinchman you created a fabulous, caring, sincere, honest, outgoing, fun and loving daughter; I thank you for sharing her with all of us who love her so dearly. I wish for all of your family peace and comfort in knowing you are well on the other side and cheering them all on from afar! I know you are already greatly missed, but your legacy will live on forever!
Milt –
You will be missed. I had the pleasure of meeting you quite some time ago. You allowed me to spend time with your family during holidays when I was not with my own. Thank you and your family for that. When I look at Kristie I see you as you both have the cutest cheeks EVER. You raised a strong, sometimes funny (lol) and loyal daughter.
Be sure to make everyone some of your famous french fries as well as take them for a ride in “casper”.
I send my love and prayers to your family.
I didn’t have the honor to have met your dad Kristie but this reflection on his life and comments warm my heart. Our parents passed within hours of each other…..which was very interesting. But it gives me a clear understanding of how you are feeling. My love to the rest of your family and friends. When I sing some Karaoke tomorrow night….I will be thinking of your dad.
Mr. Hinchman, I never did get the opportunity to meet you face to face but i was the annoying Asian girl that would scream hello over phone as you would talk to Kristie. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing your daughter and when Kristie and Mrs. Hinchman welcomed me into your home i never found a more comfortable place. I know Kristie pretty much kicked and screamed all the way back to Seattle however she knew no matter what else was going on here..that her place was to be her family. I just wanted to write, to thank you…thank you for having such an incredible family..thank you for raising such an awesome daughter that honestly balances me out as a person more than she can ever understand. After reading the obit above I truly know now the full relationship as to why deep down inside, my first memorable moments with Kristie started around music…I promise, when I come back up to Seattle we will sing a memorable Kareoke song just for you.
PS… the chicken in your car is ABSOLUTELY fantastic…I was honestly quite jealous and Kristie had to warn me not to steal it..both the car and the chicken.
Whenever the Hinchmans and Guzmans got together, good times followed. So many childhood memories involving Mr. Hinchman…but for me, the best was him showing me a toy clown head mounted to the wall downstairs (behind the bar). He told me to lean in really close to hear him laugh, and it shot water into my face. I’m sure his laughter could have been heard down the street!
Mrs. Hinchman, Tommy, and Kristie…our hearts go out to all of you during this difficult time. He will truly be missed, but we can be sure we’ll see him again.
Peace and love,
Chris Guzman
Dear Cheri, Tommy (and family), Kristie (and family),
We remember the good nature and fun that Mel brought to Seattle when you moved here! He will be remembered with his smile because we know that he loved life. We are so sorry that he passed at such a young age, but we are glad for the times that we partyed with him and all the Heikes! You have our sympathy, love and friendship. We will be in Sacramento on July 7, but we will say a special prayer for Mel and all of your family on that day. Know that we are sending our best wishes to all of you.
Love, Jerry, Myrna, Sarah, Peter and Alexa Moffat
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Milton will be grately missed. My prayers are with your family.
I met Milt and Cheryl about 22 years ago. I was single at the time and they were nice enough to let me tag along with them. Milt loved being the center of attention. He loved doing his football pools, dancing and singing Karaoke. He was one of the funniest men I have known next to my husband. For the ones of us who were lucky enough to know him he will be missed.
I first met Milt in the late eighties and we formed a close friendship that lasted almost twenty-five years. One of his best qualities was his great sense of humor, I have so many memories of the smiles and laughs we shared. Milt always kept his emotions in check but you knew how he felt by his actions. He never wanted anyone to worry about him but he was the first to ask how you were doing. One of my fondest memories is when Milt and I hosted a charity auction at the VIP Tavern, he talked about that for many years. I will miss hearing “Yo” on the other line when I answer the phone. Milt, I love you and you will always be in my thoughts, until we meet again, rest in peace my dear friend.
*one sweet day*
http://youtu.be/UXxRyNvTPr8
I met Mel 41 years ago when I was 11 years old. He married my sister Cheri and became part of our family. He was a kind, gentle man and a good big brother!
Mel was devoted and loyal to his family and friends. He always started a conversation with “How ya doin?” He truly cared about each of us and wanted to share our lives. My husband Mike was amazed at how much Mel was genuinely interested and wanted to chat about each member of our family.
He loved to be entertaining and was always ready with some silly joke or story. He would often pull some kind of crank or gag on me when we were together. I was easy to tease and he knew it. We’d laugh and giggle. Mel was always playing around for he loved to have fun!
Mel loved scary, weird, offbeat shows and movies. We shared a fascination for the latest TV series GRIMM. We would chat about the uniqueness of this show and what might happen in the next episode. He was a great critic when it came to scary movies and was always recommending good ones to watch. I wonder how many people knew he was freakishly afraid of spiders.
Our family will miss this down-to-earth, unpretentious and brave man. His strength and desire to live life to the fullest and BE HAPPY is a great testament to us all.
Peace my brother! Till we meet again one day!
Love,
Debbie (sister), Mike, Elizabeth and Brendan
I don’t know if I can write & cry @ the same time, but here goes. I 1st met Milton when we were both freshmen @ Emerson High schooll in Gary, Indiana. Our mothers were best of friends, & when they would go to bingo, we would hang out, playing basketball, lifting weights, swimming & playing pool. Afterwords, we would go for a burger, shake, & the biggest stack of fries with gravy you ever saw @ the Stepping Stone restaurant on 5Th Ave in Gary. After graduating from Emerson high school, we were both called to serve our country during the Viet Nam conflct, reuniting a couple years later. You & I, and another good friend, Danny Harris then set out for California in Danny’s new 1968 Chevy Camero, so Danny could get a custom paint job. After getting the paint job, we were heading back to Indiana, when we got caught in a severe sand storm in Oklahoma. Guess what, there went the customozed paint job. By the way, Milton did do 1,000 push ups, but he only stopped, because he had to go to his next class. The last time we spoke, about a month ago, we reminisced about the old days, & Milton wanted to make sure he told me he loved me. Well my friend, ditto. Until we meet again. Love John
Well, I’m sad to say it’s been years since we’ve last met, but, I see so much of you in Kristie all the time! I know how deeply she cared for you, and it’s clear to anyone who knows her how much your influence has shaped her life and guided her to become the successful woman she is today. You must have REALLY LOVED NKOTB! 🙂
Be well, and my deepest condolences to the family.
Kim
PS Hope you enjoyed your Celebration of Life today!
Cheryl, Tommy, & Kristie, myself & my family were deeply saddened by the news of Milton’s passing. I know he loved you all so much, just by the way he spoke of you when we talked on the phone. I could tell his family meant everything to him. I will keep my memories of him tucked away in a special place. It was great knowing him, & sharing our youth together. Always,John & Pat Guzman.
milton and his sister JUdy along with his parents use to rent my mom & dads upstair apartment at 755 virginiana st sorry to hear of miltons passing does anyone know if Judy is stil alive please let me know iwould like to ask her if she remebers Kenny Parks
Hi Kenny
Thank you for signing the guest book. I am not sure if anyone reached out to you, Angie (who signed this as well) is Judy’s oldest daughter, so I thought she might have. I am sad to say Judy passed away 10 years or a little more ago. I like to think my dad and Aunt Judy are together picking on each other like they used to do. Feel free to email me if you would like to reach out to them hinchmank@aol.com