Karl Hinkebein

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Karl William Hinkebein, 58, of Columbia, formerly of Oak Ridge, passed away from natural causes Monday, April 22, 2019, in Columbia.

Karl Hinkebein

He was born Jan. 1, 1961, in Great Lakes, Illinois, to Harold Joseph and Teresa Eileen McCabe Hinkebein. After his father completed his naval career, the family moved to Oak Ridge. Karl was confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek, Missouri. He was a 1979 graduate of Oak Ridge High School.

Karl enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Nov. 10, 1980. Stationed in Groton, Connecticut, he was a submariner serving on the USS Andrew Jackson and was honorably discharged Nov. 9, 1986.

Following his Navy tenure, he relocated to Columbia and attended the University of Missouri. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He subsequently applied to law school at the University of Missouri, earning a Doctorate in Law in 1993. He served in the Missouri State Public Defender System most of his career. He was an advocate for those who had reason to believe they were ill-served by the justice system. He was involved in a case that was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and his legal argument was supported at that level.

Over the last several years, he struggled with health challenges, but never allowed those challenges to interfere with his ability to live life to its fullest. He loved sports and playing the stock market, not necessarily for the profit, but because of the challenge and competition. He retired from his law practice a year ago, and, despite health issues, continued to pursue his passions.

Loving survivors include his mother, Teresa Hinkebein of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Oak Ridge; three siblings, Dr. Joseph (Patricia) Hinkebein of Columbia, Kenneth (Laura) Hinkebein of Jackson and Kevin (Carol) Hinkebein of O'Fallon, Missouri; and 11 nieces and nephews, Benjamin, Andrew, Matthew, Nicholas, Emily and Catherine Hinkebein, Jennifer Hinkebein Schwartz, Stacey Meinhart, Jesse, Alicia and Zachary Allen.

He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Barbara Allen (2015).

A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. May 11 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek, with the Rev. Jim French officiating. Inurnment and military honors will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 138 St. Joseph Lane, Apple Creek, MO 63775, or In2Action, P.O. Box 86, Columbia, MO 65205.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.