Darlene Hinkle

Doris “Darlene” Hinkle was born August 1, 1939 in Fort Morgan, Colorado to parents Nicholas Cecil Lake and Lucille Ritchie. One of four children, the family moved to Grand Junction and the siblings attended Appleton Elementary. Darlene graduated from Grand Junction High School and married Oliver Doyle Park before he entered the Air Force in 1958. They were stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska before moving to Utah and having their first two children, Darrin Jay and Lisa Ann. They settled in Grand Junction had another daughter Michelle Rae and moved to Fruita where daughter Amy Marie was born.

Darlene worked many years at PABCO (LP) Insulation in Fruita until the plant closed. She was then employed at Enstrom’s Candies until she retired. After Doyle passed away in 1999, she married Norval Hinkle of Grand Junction. They were married until his passing in 2020.

Darlene, a devoted mother and grandmother, was an active member of New Covenant Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years. She played piano by ear, loved studying her bible and spent many summers camping and spending time with her family. In their later years she and Norval enjoyed long drives across Western Colorado and Utah.

Although dementia clouded her final years, she continued to be a joyful light to many. Her gift of caring for others and sharing the gift of God’s love until the end will be remembered by the many that she touched.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard Lake, her sister Carol Ottman, and her husband Norval Hinkle. Surviving are her brother Harold Lake, her son Darrin Park and daughters Lisa Malloy, Michelle Park, Amy Park-Akers (Ryan) and step-daughter Renee Hinkle-Underhill, all of Grand Junction. Also surviving are her grandchildren Nicholas Jay Park, Katilyn Ashley Akers, and Zoey Grace Akers.

A memorial service to celebrate Darlene’s life will be held Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM at New Covenant Baptist Church, 3196 F Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504. A committal service will occur at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.