Willard "Ed" Hinzman

Willard "Ed" Hinzman, 66, of Fort Wayne, passed on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. He was born on August 19, 1960, in New Port, Rhode Island, son of the late Willard Hinzman and Nancy (Rumsey) Schmidt. Ed was a certified member of Deep Blue Dive. He was the avid outdoorsman who loved anything outdoors, especially, camping, horseback riding, and fishing. Ed enjoyed riding his motorcycle and golfing. He was the ultimate handyman and could often be found helping others out no matter the project. Ed is survived by his life partner, Sherry Nidlinger; children, Nikkole (Mitchell) Maroney, Damon Hinzman, Charlotte (Daniel) Holcomb, and Holly (Sam) Prada; 21 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce (Scott) Jenkins; step-parents, Merlin (Karen) Mapes, Marla Hinzman, and Glenn Schmidt; and step-siblings, Lisa (Tom) Thomas and Jim Egner. He was also preceded in death by his son Joey Hinzman. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkview Hospice.

Lord, when my final campfire fades,

and my trail on earth is done,

lead me toward the open country

beneath Your setting sun.

Give me woods that stretch forever,

clear waters where the big fish rise,

a quiet place to hunt and wander,

and a million stars across the skies.

Let there be a fire beside me,

and a soft wind through the trees.

Let me rest beneath the heavens,

finally peaceful, finally free.

Keep my cowboy hat close by me,

and, Lord, one small request—

put my boots up by my head,

just the way I liked to rest.

Watch over those I leave behind

when they walk the trails we knew.

Let every sunrise, starry night,

and whisper through the pines

remind them I am with them too.

And when their trails are finished, Lord,

and they come home one by one,

I’ll have the campfire waiting

beneath the everlasting sun.

Until then, let me roam Your wilderness,

where the rivers never end—

Amen.