Robert Dean "Big Bob" Hinsley

Robert Dean "Big Bob" Hinsley of Battle Creek, MI


Bob, age 65, of Battle Creek, MI, died unexpectedly, Friday afternoon, December 18, 2015 at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI and with his loving family at his side.

Bob, the son of William and Mildred (Servis) Hinsley, was born in Cadillac, MI on April 19, 1950 and was a 1968 graduate of Hastings (MI) High School. He served his country honorably and nobly during the Vietnam War in the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant and both his sons have followed his sense of duty by having military careers. Bob was the Owner and Operator of Hinsley Plumbing of Battle Creek since 1987 and he was a member of the Battle Creek Better Business Bureau. He was an avid deer hunter, fisherman, and camper, but his passion in life was his four, precious grandchildren.

Bob was united in marriage to Frances I. "Fran" (nee: Greene) in Battle Creek, MI on July 17, 1971. Surviving is his wife of 44 years, Fran; his two sons, Robert A (Jessica) Hinsley and Andrew T. (Kristine) Hinsley, both of Lillington, NC; his four, precious grandchildren, Gabriel D. Hinsley, Eloise M. Hinsley, Adeline J. Hinsley and Alyssa J. Hinsley; two sisters, Jeanne (Felix) Rivera of Hillsdale, MI and Vicki (Jim) Morgan of AL; three brothers, William (Diane) Hinsley of Petoskey, MI, Gregory Hinsley and Jimmy Hinsley of Avon Park, FL and by numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Cleo Rose Hinsley in 2001 and two uncles, Clyde (Bonnie) Servis and William (Marge) Servis.

The Funeral Service to celebrate Bob's life will be held on Wednesday, December 23rd at 1:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek with the Rev. Todd Masters, officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI with the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard bestowing full, military honors. Bob's family will greet friends on Tuesday, December 22nd from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob's honor may be directed to the Green Beret Foundation, 14402 Blanco Road, Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78216 or Troops First Foundation, 535 Main Street Suite 211, Laurel, Maryland, 20707.