John E. Hynes

John E. Hynes, a 59 year old resident of Little Falls, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at St. Benedict’s Senior Community in St. Cloud, after a courageous three-year battle with illness. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 22, at Living Hope Assembly of God Church in Little Falls, MN with Pastor Keith Thompson officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. John E, Hynes was born on February 11, 1953, in Little Falls, Minnesota to the late Melvin and Erma (Schindele) Hynes. He graduated from Pillager High School in 1971. John earned a degree from Brainerd State Community College in 1973, attended Bemidji State College from 1971-1973 and in 1979 graduated from St. Cloud State College with a Social Studies teaching degree. On February 15, 1975, he was united in marriage to Shirley Carlson. Prior to living the last 22 years in Little Falls, he lived in Wadena, Lynden, WA, Santa Clara, California, Little Falls, and Brainerd. Former jobs included assistant manager of a grocery store in Wadena; security guard work in California; substitute teaching in the Lynden, WA, area; working as a houseparent at a boys’ group home, a night school teacher for GED students, and an Electrolux salesman in Little Falls in the late ‘70s; and managing an Electrolux office in Brainerd in the first years of his marriage. Since moving to Little Falls in 1990, he worked as a salesman for Peter Motors, a sales associate for Wal-Mart, and a substitute teacher for 12 years in several Little Falls-area schools. In the two years prior to the onset of his illness, he worked at Walmart as a sporting goods associate, as well as a substitute teacher for the Little Falls High School. He was a member of Living Hope Assembly of God Church, where he served as a substitute adult Sunday School teacher, a Missions Committee member, and Life Group host in past years. Very dear to his heart was his membership in Gideons International, a Bible distribution organization. John was first and foremost a dedicated and loving husband and father who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, watching classic movies and TV shows, playing sports, taking trips to new places, going hiking with his family, and playing Scrabble with his wife. Those incredibly blessed by his life are his wife of 37 years, Shirley; his sons, Matthew of Little Falls, MN; Thomas of Austin, TX; and Michael of Avon, MN; sister, Patti (Tom) McCarthy of Coon Rapids, MN; brothers, Larry (Karen) Hynes of Brainerd, MN; and Thomas (Linda) Hynes of Cupertino, CA. Also grateful for his life are his wife’s extended family, cousins, several nieces and nephews, as well as grand nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, Mel and Erma Hynes; father-in-law, Wesley Carlson; brother-in-law, Robert Gillson, and cousin, Dennis Marsh. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kent Regelin, Bill Kohl, Frank Rebnord, Duane Lemmerman, Art Durene and Wade Scepurek.

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John E. Hynes

February 11, 1953 - September 18, 2012