Della Faye Newlin Hinkle, 102, of Topeka, formerly of Holton, passed away on Monday, December 31, 2007. She was born May 10, 1905 in Wetmore, KS, the second daughter of Edward and Daisy White Newlin. She graduated from Wetmore High School in 1923 and taught school for a year in a one-room country school. She later worked as a census taker.
Della was married to George Blaine Hinkle in 1925 in Holton, KS. They lived in Wetmore, KS, Peabody, KS, Wichita, KS and in High Rolls, N.M. She lived independently until 2000 when she moved to Aldersgate Village in Topeka. She was a member of the Wetmore United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her sons; Jewell Hinkle (Phyllis) of Wetmore, Merrill Hinkle (Marguerite) of Mayetta, and Edward Hinkle (Georgia) of Wetmore, and a daughter, Laura Autrey of Topeka; a sister, Lois Bassett of Phoenix, AZ; 8 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two grown grandchildren; Michael Hinkle and Diana Gary; sisters; Geneva Brenner, Doris Calwell, Bernice Lichty; brothers, Calvin and Carol Newlin.
She was a prolific and talented amateur artist and crafter. Her talents included drawing, ceramics, needlework, painting, as well as dressmaking. Her grandchildren recall her storytelling as well.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2007 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Interment will be in the Wetmore Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Aldersgate Benevolent Fund or the Alzheimer's Association and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.