Deacon Steven Hinkle passed away on May 18. He was 65 years old. He ministered at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church in Arvada.
Deacon Steven Douglas Hinkle was born to Clyde and Esther Hinkle in Hugoton, Kansas on March 6, 1953. As a convert to Catholicism, Deacon Hinkle was baptized at Spirit of Christ Parish on the April 18, 1992 by Msgr. Ken Leone.
The youngest of five children, Hinkle and his family moved to Denver when he was six years old. His brothers had joined the Air Force, which left him and his sister in the home with their mom. He attended Alameda High School and graduated in 1971. After spending time at Red Rocks Community College, he decided to start a business of his own in the construction industry in 1986.
While in high school, he met “his high school sweetheart,” Terri. After nine years, Hinkle asked Terri to marry him in 1979. They were married on September 21, 1979 at Mother Cabrini Shrine by Father Bert Chilson. Their marriage was blessed with two wonderful daughters, Ashley and Lindsay and three grandchildren.
Hinkle was reluctant to join the Catholic Church, but with the prayers and urging of Terri and the children, he finally answered the calling of the Holy Spirit, “with tears in his eyes.” At the 1992 Easter Vigil, he joined his family in the Catholic Church and received the Sacraments of Initiation. At the parish, Hinkle was on various committees and was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Answering a persistent call from the Holy Spirit to serve others, he applied for deacon formation in 2006.
Deacon Hinkle was ordained a deacon on June 25, 2011 by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and was immediately assigned to Spirit of Christ Catholic Parish, where he remained throughout his ministry. He assisted with prison ministry and would make mission trips to help those in need of housing. He also assisted parishioners as an advocate for annulments and loved working with the elderly.
“Deacon Steve was a wonderful minister with a simple task — take care of those in need. His ministry was blessed with beautiful accomplishments that give beauty to the characteristics of a deacon,” said Deacon Joseph Donohoe, Director of Deacon Personnel for the archdiocese. “He knew how to draw in those that were in need and take care of them. What a beautiful example he gave to his brother deacons and the community.”
