Rest In Piece: Matt Hinkle

My father’s family never took to him marrying a Black woman, but what was really shocking for these staunch evangelical Christians is when he and his new wife converted to Christianity. To them they had thrown away certain salvation for eternal damnation. Anyone who makes that decision has to be in league with or heavily under the devil’s influence. So to most of my fathers other siblings we were persona non-grata. To my father’s older brother who is a Lutheran priest he never even met me until I was 9. But to his closest sister, Donna she saw that I was an innocent kid who needed a family. With my mother’s family hundreds of miles apart and no one close in range, by cousin a mere 3 months younger was the closest thing I had to a normal family relationship (if such a thing exists). Despite what was often a clash of civilizations my aunt and uncle took me into their family. I spent many days playing stick ball and climbing trees and nights sleeping over whispering about the Phillies all night. It was often hard as they tried to save my soul, but it was strangely always full of love. As a kid I appreciated it. My uncle Matt Hinkle was never warm, but he would bend over backwards to help you. Matthew W. Hinkle Matthew W. Hinkle, 57, of Northampton, died Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Donna R. (Berg). Together, they celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on September 1. Matthew was employed by Bethlehem Area School District as a Spanish teacher for E. Hills Middle School for the past three years. Previously, he taught for the Allentown School District S. Mountain Middle School for a year. Before that, he was a product marketing manager for Agere Systems Incorporated, Allentown, for 21 years. Prior to that, he worked for the former Fuller Company, Schoenersville, for three years as a technical translator. Before that, he was a Spanish teacher for Whitehall High School for five years. He was a 1972 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a B.S. degree in Spanish education. He most recently achieved a masters degree in technology from Wilkes College in December. He was a member and regularly assisted with sound and praise and worship at City Limits Assembly of God Church, Allentown, a member of the Barber Shop Quartet the Audible Difference, a member and former assistant director of the Allentown Chapter of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. organization, and a member of the Summer Harmony Group, Allentown. He was a former director for the Sweet Adelines Harmony Group, Allentown. He enjoyed woodworking and was considered Mr. Fix It when it came to all-around repair. 450 people found this quiet man so profound they lined up around the block to pay their last respects. It was amazing as a scheduled 2 hour funeral lasted 5 hours. RSS Feed