Leo Hindman

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Leo Hindman died suddenly Friday, March 14, 2014. at his home on Route F, near Poplar Bluff.

Leo was born in Greenbriar, Mo., June 14, 1924, and was looking forward to celebrating his 90th birthday this summer.

Leo attended Chaffee, Mo., schools and graduated from Chaffee High School in 1943. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and graduated from University of Missouri at Rolla with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1953.

He immediately started his career with Granite Bituminous Paving Co. in St. Louis. One of his first jobs brought him to Poplar Bluff where he was the engineer on the job to pave Highway 53 from Poplar Bluff to Qulin in 1954. Leo stayed with Granite Bituminous until 1964 when Don Harrison of Cape Girardeau asked him to move to Cape Girardeau and become the first employee of Delta Asphalt.

He became vice president and manager of Delta, and also Apex Paving and Delta Company of Blytheville, Ark. He worked in Guatemala and San Salvador, where he paved the Pan Am Highway. He supervised jobs in New Orleans, Mississippi, Arkansas and Illinois.

Leo stayed with Delta Companies until his retirement in 1990. Upon retirement he moved back to his farm on Route F and Highway 160.

Leo was baptized in 1954 in the Christian faith. He was a 50-year Mason, 50-year member of the Scottish rite and a 50-year member of the Shrine. He was also a member of the Eastern Star.

Leo was active in the Democratic Party and was named Butler County Democrat of the Year in 2005. Leo and his wife, Shirley, co-chaired the annual Truman Day Rally many years. He was a member of the board of directors of Butler County Farm Bureau and was a trustee for the Kinsey Cemetery.

Leo and Shirley Langley Hindman were married in Poplar Bluff, Oct. 16, 1955. She survives.

Leo also is survived by their two sons, Dick Langley Hindman of Jacksonville, Fla., and David Leo Hindman, who lives near his parents' home.

Leo and Shirley have one grandchild, Christopher David Hindman of Jackson.

Leo was the son of the late Leo and Flora Hinkle Hindman. He has one surviving brother, Kenneth Hindman of Chaffee.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the chapel, with Rev. Jim Schremp officiating.

Burial will be in Kinsey Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to UCAN (United Cancer Assistance Network), 1419 Maud St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.

Online condolences may be expressed at cotrellfuneralservice.com.