John B. Hinni

Dr. John B. Hinni, 86, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri died Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at his home. He was born November 23, 1932 in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri to Clarence J. and Evelyn Nienhaus Hinni. He attended St. Vincent High School in Perryville, Missouri, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Southeast Missouri State University, and a master of science degree and a doctorate degree from Northwestern. He served a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1956. He taught at Northwestern University, Xavier University and Southeast Missouri State University from which he retired in May 1998. While at Southeast he chaired the Premedical Advisory Committee for many years. A total of 200 of his advisees and students matriculated in a medical school during his tenure. He also chaired the committee that revised the liberal education curriculum in the 1980's and became the founding Dean of the School of University Studies. He also became the founding President of the council for Administration of General and Liberal Studies, a national organization. He served a six-year term on the Missouri Humanities council and was a member of the Governing Board of Directors of the Community Counseling Center for many years having served as Board President for 15 of those years. He married Marie Berkbigler in 1959. She preceded him in death July 25, 2015. Survivors include his two sons, John Jr., who has two daughters, Stella Marie and Emily Anne of Denver, Colorado and Dr. Michael Hinni of the Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, his wife Jill and two grandchildren, Brandon and Danielle. He has one brother, Rev. Thomas Hinni of Perryville, Missouri. The loves of his life include the plight of the mentally ill and Native Americans, introducing beginning university students to the wonders of the living world, helping qualified students gain acceptance to medical school, reading classic literature and the New York Times, and interacting with people who are smarter than he. He received a federal research fellowship from the Surgeon General for Embryologic Research, the Joseph Katz Award from the Association for General and Liberal Studies and a lifetime achievement award from the Community Counseling Center. He dedicated his life to education. Visitation will be held from 11:00am to noon on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Ford & Sons Funeral Home, 1001 N. Mt. Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A memorial service will follow at 12noon at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Community Counseling Center, 402 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703 or to the John B. Hinni Scholarship in support of single mothers tuition assistance at Southeast Missouri State University, One University Plaza, MS 7300, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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John B. Hinni

November 23, 1932 - May 29, 2019