Debra “Debi” Sue Hinman lost a courageous 10-month battle against cancer, at the age of 64, departing peacefully to heaven during the early hours of October 16th, 2018 in Helena Montana.
She was born on August 10th, 1954 in Wichita, Kansas. She was raised by her parents Ted and Carol (Cornett) Cockrell in a large family of 8 children. She often reminisced fondly of her childhood days growing up at the Grand Canyon in Arizona where her father worked for the National Park Service. Trips to the rim of the canyon were a regular adventure for her and her siblings. For the remaining years of Debi’s childhood, the family relocated to Grand Teton National Park, as a result of a transfer with Ted’s job, where they lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for several years. The kids spent summers in Mead Kansas with their Grandma and Grandpa Cornett. While there, they played with Droopy the dog in the fields, ate dry dog food, shared the salt lick with the cows, scared the chickens to collect the eggs and made yearly visits to the Dalton Gang Hideout museum.
Debi married Glenn Hinman on December 28th, 1974. They raised 3 children as a result of this union. She is survived by Glenn Hinman, daughter Angie Hinman, son J.T. Hinman (wife Sara Churchill-Hinman), and son Dustin Hinman (wife Jennifer Tolan), her grandchildren include Brett Rowsey, Jordan Hinman, Tristyn Griffin, Jonathan Hinman, and Jenna, Kayla and Bella Churchill. She had immense pride in each of them as their own unique person. Additional survivors are her siblings Terry Smith, Dale Cockrell (Donna), Rhonda Hoerster (Dr. Steve Hoerster), Teddie Curl (John), Karen Meggs (Luis), Lisa Garmulewicz, and Sherrie Seelig (Ronnie). Finally, her beloved kitty, Winnie. Debi was preceded in death by her parents Ted (December 1997) and Carol (June 2018).
Debi was the cement of her family. Angie found a special friendship and bond in her mom. J.T. was her handyman over the years from auto to home, and together they enjoyed a good scare on any unwilling victim they came across. Lastly, she was hands down THE #1 Kansas City Chiefs football fan and enjoyed watching football regularly with Dustin and Jennifer including sharing their weekly football pool picks. Jennifer is forever grateful to Debi for stepping in and helping her during a difficult time of her life when she needed someone to lean on.
The dear friendships and many wonderful people who shared in her life over the years were always loved and cherished by Debi. She talked fondly of the nights spent in forest service cabins in the woods, or the days by the water with a fishing pole in hand. Over the years, she enjoyed horses (especially when it came time for a visit from the farrier in wranglers), softball with her oversized bat, and being an avid reader. She was kind-hearted and accepting of anyone with her door always open, a shoulder available to cry on, and a listening ear for all that needed it.
She worked for the State of Montana for her entire career initially for the Helena Job Service, and then for the Department of Labor and Industry Unemployment Division as a claims adjudicator, before retiring in 2016.
A special thanks to her friend and rock until the end, Peggy Harper, she treasured you.
Memorial contributions can be made in Debi’s honor to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society at 2112 E. Custer Ave, Helena, MT 59602. A service celebrating Debi’s life will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 26th in the social hall at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Debi.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Friday October 26, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Friday October 26, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
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Kitty Cutting says
I miss you my friend! The fun times we had at softball, U.I. Your wonderful smile and your laughter. I see you in the stars at night. God be with us until we see Deb again! Kitty
Angie says
I love you Mom! You were my best friend and my rock! Be at peace and watch over me! Love you much!!
Lynne Cook says
Love, love, love you my friend. What a kick in the butt. What a character! Thanks for the laughs! You’re one of my favorite people, and I’m so glad you were in my life:).
Ross Battershell says
Only met her once briefly but glad I did. Love you Angie
Sherrie Seelig says
I miss you you! I feel lost without you and mom! Watch over me.
I love you,
Your baby sister, Sherrie
Brittany Hogan says
Deb, I’ll always have fond memories of you from my younger years. Rest In Peace and my thoughts are with your family.
Theresia LeSueur says
Rest In Peace dear friend. You touched a lot of lives and it has come time for your light to shine.
MEGAN CASEY says
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Deb. Her wit and straight forward nature were always a positive boost to the work day. She took advantage of every opportunity to provide updates on her kids and always showed such pride in them. Her work ethic and intelligence were second to none. The State of Montana will forever be in debt to her and her friendship will always be dear to me. My thoughts and prays are with the family and all who loved her.
Paul Martin says
Every one who knew The Honorable Deb Hinman was richer for the experience. A great person, mother, grandmother, and a legend at DLI. Helena is a little less colorful now & we all miss you dearly. Kids, be strong…just like your mother was.
Carol Rule says
What a special lady! One of my all time favorite co-workers at Helena Job Service who made me feel welcome from the very start. So many of her customers loved her and brought her gifts when they returned each year for their seasonal lay-offs. She would go out of her way to help anyone. Tough on the outside, fun, and all heart. Angie, JT, and Dustin you must be so proud. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Debra Petek says
Deb was a very special friend of mine for many years. We worked together at Helena Job Service until she moved on to the Unemployment Division. That didn’t matter though, we still kept in touch and Deb was always ready and willing to help me out with our customers no matter when I called her. She helped so many people over the years I couldn’t begin to count. Deb always had a smile for everyone. Glenn, Angie, JT and Dustin I will keep your family in my prayers.
Amanda Lay says
My second momma! There are too many things to say and too many memories–from working together, sharing lunch EVERYDAY (okay–she mostly brought me lunch), softball fields (always had to watch Angie!), talking about her horses and family–lunch dates, hanging out at her place–listening to her stories about her world (her kids and grandkids!). She meant the world to me and I love her so much. I will be watching the KC Chiefs this year and think of you Deb. You will ALWAYS have a VERY special place in my heart and I feel blessed to know you.
Deb Eisenmann says
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. The Bible promises that we will live in a world without death, and will embrace our resurrected loved ones on a paradise earth. May these promises give you comfort. Revelation 21:3,4
Debra Bingen says
We are glad you didn’t suffer to long with the cancerbut we loss a supper loving and caring soul in our world. Be at peace untill we see you again.
Kristen Summers says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. She couldn’t have had a better, loving family. She was blessed, I am sorry, Angie, Jt and Dustin. I will never forget the 4th of July’s we had, she loved watching you guys blow things up. RIP Sweet lady. You are truly missed.
Kris Darrah says
Angie, JT, and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you find peace in all of the shared memories and prayers. It seems your mom was truly a wonderful woman.
Kathy Rowsey says
The greatest attribute Debi had was her sense of humor. This was a gift not only for herself, but she was able to give her gift to others in her life. In the mist of the trials of life she was able to bring a hope to herself and those around her by always applying that humor to the situation. She raised great children who had the same loving heart as their mom. You are such an example to others as you walked with her as she battled these last months. Be comforted by knowing you loved and cared for her well. I pray you will receive the comfort God has for you as you go forward in your lives. Love you!
Walter Thompson says
My condolences to all the family. I will not make it there as I am recovering from having bronchial pneumonia.
Teri Hamel Schouten says
JT, Sara, Angie, Dustin and families. So sorry for your loss of your loving mom and grandma Debi. I will miss her and enjoyed when her and I were roomies on our family trip to Disneyland 2 yrs ago. We had a great time. I’m going to miss you Nana! ❤ Wish I could have been there with you all. Love you guys.