Darrell N. Hinz

Darrell N. Hinz, age 92, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 10, 2021, surrounded by his family.

The oldest of five siblings, Darrell was born on February 2nd, 1928 to dairy farmers August and Goldie Hinz of Van Dyne. He met Virginia “Ginny” in 1946 at the Oshkosh Roller Rink. Ginny recalls he wasn’t a good skater, that he couldn’t waltz or 2 step, and basically had two left feet! He must have swept her off her feet because they were married in 1948. They lived in Van Dyne for 40 years before building a house on Candlish Harbor in Black Wolf where he watched the activity of the water until his last day on this earth.

Darrell worked on the Railroad Soo line fixing box cars prior to working on another dairy farm, and then at Mercury Marine for 35 years. After retirement he became a “professional” car driver for a car rental company, which he enjoyed for another 15 years.

His hobbies included boating, church life, and travel. As a member of the Oshkosh Boat Club, Darrell and Ginny met lifelong friends. They fondly recall taking weekend boating trips, always making sure to stop somewhere on Sunday mornings to attend church. He was an active church member, and performed the duty of Sunday School superintendent for 14 years. Darrell and Ginny took retirement as the opportunity to explore the world. Trips to Europe, Alaska, and Israel were among their favorite vacations. They became snowbirds, flying south to Florida during the winter where Darrell could stay on the go, playing golf and losing his money at the penny machines in the casinos.

Darrell had a sweet tooth, to say the least! Grandpa’s “special treat drawer” of double stuffed Oreos and other chocolate candy or cookies became a well-known favorite with his grandchildren and then his great-grandchildren, but Darrell was also known to hide a box of Hughes’ chocolates under the couch for easy access. A trip to watch a local baseball game was often accompanied by a Dairy Queen sundae, his favorite being vanilla ice cream with chocolate and spanish peanuts. Even at the end of his life, his nightstand was found with half a Hershey's bar on it.

Darrell is preceded in death by his parents, August & Goldie, his brother Donald, and his sister Joyce. He is survived by Virginia, his wife of 72 years; his sons Dennis (Wendy) and Kenneth; his brother Larry (Virginia) and sister Karen (Duane) Schroeder; his six grandchildren: Katharine (Dan) Hale, Carolyn (Bradley) Ackley, Crystal (Andrew) Gruszka, Christina Hinz, Justin Hinz, and Deanna (Ryan) McCarty; as well as his eight great-grandchildren (Ethan, Leah, Camryn, Gavin, Nadia, Levi, Rayne, and William).

A private funeral service will be held Saturday, January 16th. Condolences may be sent to Calvary Lutheran Church, 2580 W. 9th Street, Oshkosh.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Home Care Assistance and the Ascension Hospice team for allowing Darrell comfort at home in his final days.