Joan Otis Hinken

Joan Otis Hinken (Mumbo) passed away from this life to be with God this Mother’s Day,

May 12th, 2024, in the 94th year of her life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother,

great-grandmother, and friend to all and a model of willing service to anyone and anything in

need.

Joan was born in Winnetka, Illinois on November 28, 1929, to James and Edwina Otis. She

was the firstborn with two younger brothers: Elliot and Jim. She received a master’s from the

University of Illinois with specialization in Occupational Therapy. She soon met her future

husband, Michael Hinken, a promising young med student, while vacationing with family in

East Tawas, Michigan. The couple married in 1954 in Chicago as Mike continued to study

for his Medical Boards and Joan started having babies. The couple moved to Wilmette,

Illinois where Mike began a medical practice, which eventually took him to Rockford,

Illinois where the family settled in 1965.

By this time Joan was a part-time Occupational Therapist serving as an advisor on the boards

of a hospital and several nursing homes. Together the couple reared five children: Fr. Michael

Jr., Mark, Maree, Jennifer, and Sarah. Joan was the ever-faithful Cub and Girl Scout leader,

chief organizer of family fun and activities, ready volunteer for any organization in need, and

the heart of our family. She especially loved animals and was the principal caretaker of the

family’s countless pets: wild and domestic animals that included dogs, horses, cats, countless

kittens, rabbits, birds, racoons, lizards, and anything else it is possible to heal and tame.

In 1995 Mike and Joan retired to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. There Joan involved herself

in a myriad of social and philanthropic activities. She was VP of the Ladies of the Sacred

Heart Church Guild and a Eucharistic Minister. She was an active member of the Parish

Bridge Club and an Investment Club, the PEO Sisterhood (Philanthropic Educational

Organization) raising scholarship money for qualified young women. She was most dedicated

to the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs, always conducting tours for kids.

Lastly, Joan and Mike were both very fond of golf. The two would be seen pushing their golf

club carts up and down fairways over 18 holes several days of the week.

In 2006, Mike Sr. passed away in his sleep. And after some years, Joan fell in love and

happily re-married James Ashley Sr., who passed away several years later in 2016. For the

remainder of her life Joan enjoyed living at home under the care of her eldest son. She

received the greatest gift for Mother’s day this year, eternal life with our Lord.

Joan is survived by her two brothers, Jim Otis, Elliott (Jane) Otis; five children: Fr. Michael

Hinken, Jr., Mark (Marion) Hinken, Maree (Rich) Proskurnicki, Jennifer (Greg) Krinickas,

Sarah (Tim) Harbaugh; eight grandchildren: Mark (Kate) Hinken, Ellie Hinken, Rachel

(Brian) Harlo, Casey Hinken, Allison (Brett) Guzay, Jack Harbaugh, Stewart Krinickas,

Maggie Hinken, and one great-grandchild, Olivia Guzay.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm this Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Sacred Heart of Jesus

Catholic Church, 285 Balearic Rd., Hot Springs Village, with the Reverend Michael Hinken,

Jr. celebrating. A private interment will be held at a future date in her final resting place

where she will join her beloved husband Mike Sr. in the Sacred Heart Church Columbarium.

Arrangements made under the direction of CedarVale Funeral Home inside the Hot Springs Village. Guests may register at cedarvalefuneralhome.com