Joseph “Joe” Hinger

Joseph Hinger, loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, caring brother and uncle, and humble, generous friend, passed peacefully into eternal life on Friday, November 28th, surrounded by family and friends.

Joe was born at home in Audubon to John and Claire (Tolle) Hinger on December 2nd 1928 and spent his formative years moving several times as his family faced the challenges of the Great Depression. He graduated from Collingswood High School, Class of 1946, where he was a standout athlete, playing center and linebacker on the football team. In 1945, Joe was named center on the All–South Jersey football team and was later inducted into the Collingswood High School Hall of Fame.

The Hinger family contributed greatly to the service of our nation during World War II, as all three brothers joined the armed forces in defense of American freedoms. Joe served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with the “Angels” of the 11th Airborne Division, the first Allied unit to land in Japan after the surrender.

Following his honorable discharge, Joe attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, where he earned his undergraduate degree. His working years began at Campbell Soup in Camden, followed by time at Seabrook Farms in Cumberland County. He made his greatest professional impact as an Industrial Engineer with the U.S. Department of Defense in Moorestown, where he worked until retirement overseeing radar systems and satellite development at RCA.

Joe fully embraced family life as a husband, father, and “coach.” He began his family with his late wife, Elizabeth “Bette” (née Stannard) Hinger, in 1951. With the arrival of three children, his life soon filled with Little League, Pee Wee football, ballet, dance recitals, swim team, scouting, and camping. Joe volunteered with the Oaklyn–Bettlewood Little League as both umpire and coach. As well as swim team referee and assistant scout master and always ready to lend a helping hand where needed.

He was also a founding member of the “Revelers,” a self-made social group of church friends. Joe and Bette loved the beach and cherished their annual trips to Wildwood every Labor Day week a tradition not lost on their children. As their children reached college, Joe remained just as involved—he served as president of the New Jersey Parents Association of the U.S. Air Force Academy and never missed one of Don’s Trenton State football games. He was also Dianne’s faithful chauffeur to and from Trenton State.

Faith was central to Joe’s life. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Aloysius Church in Oaklyn, where his children attended school. Later, as empty nesters, he and Bette became active members of Sacred Heart Parish in Camden, decorating the church for feast days and delivering Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to those in need.

Joe’s zest for life continued well into retirement. He served as an NJSIAA Track & Field Official for 11 years and was a donor and volunteer driver for the American Red Cross. He joined a senior choir and enjoyed singing at Christmas concerts for senior living communities. Joe and Bette loved volunteering and reading to elementary school children and even attended literature classes at Camden County College well into their 70s.

Joe is survived by his children, Robert (the late Loretta), Donald (Karen Colangelo), and Dianne (Christopher) Geissler. He was the proud grandfather of Sarah, Kathleen, Nicholas, Melissa, Leah, Meryl, Daniel, and his beautiful and caring late granddaughter, Meghan. He is also the great-grandfather of Benjamin, Samuel, and Zaydin.

Joe was predeceased by his siblings, William Whitely, John Hinger, and Claire Townsend.

He made many dear friends among the residents and staff at Brightview Woodbury Lake, and the Hinger family extends a deep and heartfelt thank-you to all of them for their kindness, camaraderie, and friendship.

Relatives, friends, and neighbors are invited to gather with the Hinger family to take comfort in one another, in tribute and thanksgiving, and in celebration of Joe’s life. Visitation will be held on Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, St. Aloysius Church, 37 W. Haddon Ave., Oaklyn. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m.

In honor of those who have sacrificed, in tribute to those who have fallen, and in gratitude to those now serving, we will present United States Army Honors and bear witness to love’s reunion on Monday at 10:00 am at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown; where Joe will be laid to rest with his sweet Bette.

As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Vitality Hospicehttps://www.vitalityhospice.com/donate 218 W. Broad St., Burlington, NJ 08016

“To live in the hearts of others is not to die.” Kahlil Gibran”

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