Eugene "Gene" Trinkle

Eugene E. “Gene” Trinkle, age 79, of Bloomington, died Thursday at his residence. Born September 11, 1931 in Bloomington, he was the son of Edward and Gladys (Vaughn) Trinkle, He was a self-employed painting contractor in the Bloomington area. He loved doing anything outdoors, whether it be fishing, hunting (especially mushroom hunting), and camping. He also loved to play euchre. He was a member of the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #446 and had been very involved with Boy Scout camping activities. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. He was with the 25th Infantry Division in the areas of Chuuchon, Korea; Punch Bowl and Bloody Ridge as a squadron leader, heavy weapons machine gunner, and 30 caliber water cooled weaponry. He also served eight years in the stand-by reserve with thirteen months of that time with the first cavalry division in Korea from 1962-1963 on the D.M.Z. in the Ninth Armored Recon. After two hitches in Korea, he was sent to Ft. George G. Maryland where he was transferred to the 502th Trans. Trk Company working for the N.S.A. and security areas in and around Washington, D.C.

He is survived by his five children; Richard (Connie) Trinkle, of Spencer; Jill Trinkle, Charlie (Nanette) Trinkle and Gina Riggen, all of Bloomington and Tia S. (Eric) Deckard, of Heltonville; one brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Judy Trinkle, of Bloomington; the mother of his children, Phyllis Trinkle Burkhart, of Bloomington, his best friend and companion, LaDonna Riggen, of Bloomington; eight grandchildren, Johnny Lee Hettle, Stephanie Grossnickle Barnhill, Caleb Trinkle, Tabatha Trinkle, Eli Trinkle, Seth Trinkle, Rebekah Trinkle and Colin Deckard. He was preceded in death by his parents, one wife, Jane Trinkle, one sister, Doynetta Hyde, one brother, Warren Trinkle, and one granddaughter, Sarah Trinkle.

The funeral service will be on Monday at 11:30 A.M. at Day Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Alan Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in Valhalla Memory Gardens where the Veterans Honor Guard will perform military rites. Friends may visit the family on Sunday from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be forwarded to Day Funeral Home.