Walter Hinkle

Walter “Duck” Joseph Hinkle, age 59, of Erie, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016 at his residence.

He was born in Erie on April 1, 1957 the son of Joan M. Hinkle and the late John W. Hinkle Sr.

Duck loved riding his motorcycle with his friends and family. He was a member of the Legion Riders. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and cooking.

Duck had a tree service business that he shared with his son. He adored his two dogs “Scraps” and “Cassie”.

He was a member of the Knights of St. John, VFW Post 470, American Legion Post 773, and South Erie Turners.

He was a jack of all trades and would help anyone he could. He was the life of the party and always had a joke to tell. Anyone that knew Duck, loved his sense of humor.

Besides his father, he was preceded in death by a sister Sandra “Jenny” Hinkle and his maternal grandparents Walter Wieczorek Sr. and Pearl Wieczorek.

Duck is survived by his son Jeremy Hinkle; his fiancé, the love of his life Sharon Schmalenbach; two brothers, John Hinkle Jr. and Richard Hinkle; two sisters, Susan Rule and Sharon Arble; a step daughter, Melissa Schmalenbach and a granddaughter, Kelli Schmalenbach. He is further survived by several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W. 26th Street (at Powell Ave) on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m.