Dec. 9, 1924 - Jan. 2, 2014

A full-fledged member of the greatest generation

Our dad is remembered as a classic example of the greatest generation. John Hine died Jan. 2, 2014, at the age of 89. He was born just before the Great Depression in northern Indiana, the youngest of three children and the first to be born in a hospital. (The hospital bill was $13.) His brother passed last year at age 96 and his sister passed this year at age 99. They were all proficient card players with amazing memory. When together, they could recall the specific dates of events that occurred 60 years ago.

John grew up on a small family farm where he learned well the lessons that way of life teaches. He was educated in a one-room school, but he did admit he did not have to walk miles uphill to school. His high school graduating class had 26 kids. Dad played forward at 5'6" on the basketball team. The center was 5'7". He served his country during WWII in the Philippines. After his service, John used the G.I. Bill to obtain a civil engineering degree from Tri-State College in Angola, Indiana. While in college in 1947, he married our mother, Evelyn. They were married in the church rectory and honeymooned in Niagara Falls – they recorded in a notebook all expenses and the final total for the week was just under $100.

After college, Dad accepted employment as a civil engineer with IDOT in Springfield. He later became a partner in Hanson Engineers and was instrumental in the firm’s growth. John was recognized by his peers and clients as one of the best engineers in his field.

Dad was self-made and self-reliant. He was the consummate do-it-yourselfer. Dad and Mom, with the help of a few friends, built their own home on Governor Street. He later added on to the house – digging, by hand, a below-ground family room – and he got help from some of the neighbor kids by telling them he was putting in a swimming pool. Reverting to his roots, he enjoyed donning his old bib overalls to work in his large garden.

John Hine was a great Catholic, husband, father, grandfather, friend, professional engineer and citizen. He instilled in his children the important values of hard work and dedication to family and church. He enjoyed life. He loved to play golf and cards and did both almost daily until his last days. For 25 years, he and his best friend and business partner, Jack Healy, organized a golf bus trip for 40 of their friends. Mom and Dad socialized often with the couples they originally met when they moved to Springfield.

Dad, we are so grateful for your love and for loving our great mom for 66 years. Mom and your children miss you.

– Mark, Mike, Jeff, Tim, Patrice (sons and daughter)