Earlene Joann Hinch, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025, at the age of 95 at the home of her granddaughter Denise.

She was born on June 22, 1930, to Ralph and Hazel (Woods) Harris, Earlene lived a life marked by grace, warmth, and an unwavering devotion to family. On February 7, 1947, she married the love of her life, Charles “Bud” Owen Hinch. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished traditions.

Earlene was of the Methodist faith, Earlene retired from Deters Dairy after 30 years of dedicated service. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, her beloved son Terry Lee Hinch— who brought her immeasurable pride and happiness—her parents Ralph and Hazel Harris, and her brother and sister-in-law Richard and Elsie Hinch.

She is survived by her granddaughters Denise Hinch Weed (Michael) of Quincy, IL, and Stephanie Hinch Kindhart (Jeremy) of Tioga, IL, along with Denise and Stephanie’s mother Sandy Krueger of Quincy. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Aaron Beaston (Jessica), Kristin Branham (Henry), Jay Albert (Lexi), Danielle Neuman (John Michael Sestito), Devin Beaston (Lynsey Phillips), Nicolas Dopheide, Denver Beaston, Keylan Arnel-Shaver, and Destiny Beaston, as well as nine great-great-grandchildren.

Earlene’s greatest joy was her family. Known for her warm Sunday meals, her home was a gathering place where love was served alongside her unforgettable cooking. She had a creative spirit and ran her own home interior business for many years, bringing beauty and comfort to the spaces she touched. Roses were her favorite flower, and like them, she filled life with color, elegance, and grace.

In her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with close friends to places like Las Vegas, New Orleans, and New York. But perhaps her most treasured trips were the annual family visits to Indiana—days filled with laughter, memories, making homemade noodles, banana cream pie, and spirited games of Uno and Spades.

Overnight visits with her grandchildren were filled with Disney movies, cozy quilts, and Gem City Pizza—simple joys that became lasting memories.

Earlene’s life was a true reflection of unconditional love and devotion to her family. She will be remembered not only for her delicious meals and creative talents but for the kindness, strength, and joy she brought to everyone she met.

Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Burial will be beside her husband at Sunset Cemetery at the Illinois Veterans Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to help with expenses. A Private celebration of life will be held. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.