Joann T. Hinen

A woman innately centered in love, faith, and fortitude Joann T. Hinen lived an extraordinary life. She embraced each day as an embodiment of faith living in conscious service to others. Whether working to create a loving home where all were welcome, serving her church and the school she worked in, caring for the farm, or playing cards with friends and family, Joann always lead with her heart. Joann followed her dreams, and through them, she became a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and treasured friend. She found pleasure living on the land she loved, welcoming lifes challenges and joys equally, and showering others with her good care. In as much as she gave, Joann was loved abundantly and cherished in the hearts of many. Though she will be sadly missed, her beautiful legacy will continue to spark memories of a well-loved and admired woman.

In 1940, with the rearming of US forces, the strains of the Great Depression began to ease. Americans incomes grew and their increased spending further fueled the economy. In the US the optimism of leaving the depression behind inspired the making of several classic movies including Gone With the Wind and the Great Dictator, while the invigorating sounds ofBenny GoodmanandCount Basies Jazz filled our homes with hope. Newly invented Nylon stockings were all the rage with women and FDR was elected for an unprecedented third term. Despite the ominous winds of change blowing in from Europe, the foundation of hope and generosity our nation had firmly rooted itself in as a result of the preceding decades hardships could not be shaken. It was within this overwhelming feeling of fortitude, generosity, and hope that John and Theresa (McAleavey) Mertes, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, joyfully welcomed their youngest child and daughter, Joann T. into their hearts and homeon July 6th.

Joanns earlier years were spent enjoying the freedoms and thrills of the outdoors. Her days filled with raucous games of baseball, the honing expert angling skills, and experiencing the visual thrill of epic movies in the good comfort and company of her older brothers, J. Robert, Stanley, and Eugene. Joanns natural intellectual aptitude coupled with her innate drive, determination, and discipline fueled her academic pursuits at Central Catholic High School where she consistently earned honor roll status and graduated in the top five of her class in 1958. Not easily intimidated by hard work, Joann pursued higher education at Saint Francis College while simultaneously working for Lincoln National Bank.

Joann first met her sweetheart, Thomas E. Schenkel, during their shared high school years at Central. They began dating and enjoyed the experience of attending Prom together. In 1960 the two marriedon July 30thand soon grew their family with the births of their four daughters, Cynthia, Karen, Jill, and Sally. Committed to providing their daughters with only the very best, the couple found property in Whitley County where together they built their country home in 1969. Joanns passion for family could easily be witnessed in the loving home she worked hard to create for her husband, daughters, extended family, friends, and community members. All were welcome in her home where they would instantly be enveloped in Joanns loving, empathetic, spiritually centered kindness. As a devout Catholic, Joanns commitment to living a life of service to others was fortified by the familys membership at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Arcola where she participated in the Rosary Altar Society and volunteered her secretarial skills for several years. Committed to sharing their love of nature with their daughters, Joann and Tom took the girls to visit extended family in Wisconsin as well as to see the bears and go fishing in Minnesota. As the girls made their way through Coesse Elementary School, Joann took a job there in 1974. With her tenacious spirit, organizational savvy, and warm heart she quickly became the school secretary and office manager. Joann continued to weave her magic at Coesse long after her daughters left the building. She proudly served the public school system until her retirement in 1999. Following retirement, Joann worked as a tax preparer for H R Block in Columbia City until 2005.

Joanns longtime sweetheart and husband Tom died in 1986. In time, through her involvement with the church, Joann met and fell in love with Charles Hinen; the couple marriedon July 19thof 1991. Just a few miles from the home shed raised her daughters, Joann and Charles built a new farmhouse together where she would contentedly live the rest of her life. As Chuck was a farmer, the couple spent much time attending local farm shows, the 4H and State fairs, and the Farm Progress Shows. Additionally, they enjoyed square dancing, eating out, and the challenges of woodworking projects. After Chuck died in 2009, Joann began traveling more. She had many adventures exploring the country with her next-door neighbor, treasured friend, and sister-in-law, Kathy. She and Kathy enjoyed many a Mistry Trip, including trips to the Grand Canyon, Washington DC, and the Wisconsin Dells to just name a few.

Joanns zest for life radiated to those around her. She relished in a fine meal, the treat of eating out, and was convinced that everything was better with chocolate (or Lent each year she would even give up chocolate until the moment it was over)! Whether working her way through a sewing project, strategically choosing the right fishing lure, indulging in a good book, playing cards or Bunco, sharing her favorite Coney Island with a loved one, inviting others to share time, or making sure no one spent the holidays alone, Joanns heart and thoughts were always centered around the well-being of others. There simply was no safer place for others to be than in Joanns heart.

Joann T. (Mertes, Schenkel) Hinen, 76, of Columbia City, died in the comforts of her home on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Thomas Schenkel; second husband, Charles Chuck Hinen; grandson, Justin Hinen; brothers, J. Robert Mertes and Stanley Mertes; and infant sister, Elizabeth Ann Mertes, her legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of her daughters, Cynthia (Jeffrey) Hinen, of Columbia City, Karen (Bruce) Trabert, of Columbia City, Jill Seely, of Fort Wayne and Sally (Michael) Hinen, of Columbia City; eight grandchildren, Jeremy Hinen, Jennifer Hinen, Erin Trabert, Leonie Trabert, Alex (Marie) Seely, Eric Seely, Brandan Hinen and Joshua Hinen; brother, Eugene (Karen) Mertes, of Fort Wayne; and numerous nieces nephews.

Joanns family will receive guests at a Visitationfrom 1-5 p.m. Sunday, January 29, 2017, with a Rosaryat 12:30 p.m.at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home,600 Countryside Dr., Columbia City. Mass of Christian Burial will be10 a.m. Mondayat St. Patricks Catholic Church, Arcola, with visitation one hour prior. Father Tad Balinda and Father Cyril Fernandes officiating. Following mass, she will be laid to rest between her two husbands at St. Patricks Catholic Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in Joanns memory to American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or masses to St. Patricks Catholic Church. Visit www.demoneygrimes.comto send family condolences or sign the guest register book.