Marilyn Hinkle

HINKLE, Marilyn Kalamazoo Marilyn Hinkle passed away January 25 at her residence in Kalamazoo. She was the daughter of Margaret Shierk and Kenneth W. Hinkle. They and a sister, Catherine Hinkle Koppe, preceded her in death. Ms. Hinkle was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, November 2, 1922. Ms. Hinkle graduated in 1944 from Kalamazoo College with a degree in economics and received her MA in education in 1949 from the University of Michigan. She was employed by Kalamazoo College for 31 years beginning in 1947. There she was director of public relations for 28 years including 25 of those years also as alumni director and eight as publicity director. As a student and for some time after, she will be remembered as a fine classical pianist and organist. During her tenure at Kalamazoo College, Ms. Hinkle was responsible for the College publications alumni, student recruitment, the catalog, fund raising many of which received national honors. The literary magazine, The Kalamazoo Review, which no longer exists, was twice cited among the top ten college and university magazines by the American Alumni Council, now known as CASE. Other attainments were aided by alumni and others and include the establishment of 30 alumni clubs; a new alumni constitution creating alumni trustees; an executive board and a system of class agents; an Emeritus Club; an alumni travel abroad program; a continuing education program now under the aegis of the Stryker Center; two alumni fairs; and an alumni directory. Ms. Hinkle's knowledge of alumni was virtually unequaled. Additionally, she directed many events such as homecomings and commencements. For the College sesquicentennial in 1983, Ms. Hinkle wrote the book, On Such a Full Sea, in which she discussed the outstanding leadership of President Weimer K. Hicks and Board Chairman Richard U. Light. In 1963, she received the Achievement Award for an outstanding alumna. She served as president of the Kalamazoo Branch of AAUW 1963-65. In 1973, Ms. Hinkle served as head of the Great Lakes District of the American Colleges Public Relations Association, now also CASE. She was president of the Kalamazoo College Women's Council 1987-89. In 1995 she received the Weimar K. Hicks Award for performance of excellent long-term service. In 1999, she received the Emeritus Club Award of Kalamazoo as a distinguished alumna. When she left the college in 1978, the Alumni Association honored her with its Distinguished Service Award and referred to her ''distinctive and elegant style'' as a reflection of ''the style and excellence of the college itself.'' Ms. Hinkle was very proud of the lovely home which she designed and shared with her life long good friend Ada Tish Loveless who survives. Also surviving are three cousins: Theodore Shierk of San Antonio: ,Texas; Ann Shierk Vestle, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Kim Shierk Robb, of Bloomfield Hills. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday February 3, 2007, 10:30 a.m. at Stetson Chapel on the campus of Kalamazoo College with the Rev. Russell Becker officiating. Interment will be at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph Michigan at 10:30 Monday February 5, 2007. Friends planning to attend the brief graveside service are requested to contact Tish Loveless. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kenneth and Margaret Hinkle Memorial Library Fund at Kalamazoo College. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. 269 343-1508 www.langelands.com