Erwin C. Hoinke Jr.

Hoinke
Erwin C. Jr. beloved husband of Carole (Nee: Link) Hoinke. Loving father of Jennifer (Ken) Klekamp, Tracy (Lisa), Russell (Amy) and Christopher (Angela) Hoinke. Devoted grandfather of 13 and great-grandfather of 4. February 16, 2015. Age 82 years. Visitation will be Thurs. Feb. 19th from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Radel Funeral Home, 650 Neeb Road, 451-8800. Funeral services will be Fri. Feb. 20th 11:30 A.M. at the funeral home. If so desired memorials may be made to League for Animal Welfare, 4193 Taylor Road, Batavia, Ohio 45103. www.radelfuneral.com

Tributes & Condolences

Posted by SCRAPIRON on February 02, 2016 (16:42)
I'LL MISS ERV FOREVER AS ONE OF THE BEST FRIENDS OF MY LIFE. HE WAS ALWAYS SO GOOD TO ME WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER AND TRAVELLING BUDDY OF HIS. HE TOOK ME EVERYWHERE WITH HIM TO TOURNAMENTS AND LOCAL BOWLING EVENTS. HE TAUGHT ME THE FINER POINTS OF THE GAME AND DRILLED ALL MY BOWLING BALLS. I'LL ALWAYS LOVE ERV.

Posted by SCRAPIRON on March 15, 2015 (15:59)
IT JUST BREAKS MY HEART TO LOSE MY "OLD BUDDY" ERV AND I WERE VERY CLOSE BACK IN THE LATE 50s BEFORE HE MET CAROLE. I AM SENDING MY LOVE AND SYMPATHY TO CAROLE AND THE BOYS. WE ALL WILL MIISS ERV FOREVER. HE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN

Posted by Joan Gillespie on February 21, 2015 (06:16)
I would like to send my condolences to the family. My mom (Dorothy Zurlinden) used to work for Western Bowl back in the 1970's. She would take care of getting drinks and food for the bowlers. She spoke of waiting on Pete Rose. In the late 1990's to the early 2000's I worked seasonally as his gardener. He loved a showy garden. Everything big from music box sunflowers to dinner plate dahlias. It was always kind to me.

Posted by Patti Rainwater on February 20, 2015 (22:56)
I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire Hoinke family during this difficult time. May you find comfort in your loving memories of Irv. It was a pleasure to have worked at Western Bowl with the entire family! God Bless. Patti Rainwater

Posted by Richard Bower on February 20, 2015 (20:57)
My sympathy to the Hoinke family on the death of Mr. Hoinke. I didn't know him personally, but met him at various times while bowling in the Super Hoinke Tournament. The trip from Ford City, Pa., to Cincinnati was looked forward to on many Thanksgiving weekends. In 1984 I made it to the semi-final round of the tournament and Erv posed with the semi-finalists together and individually after the tournament. I still treasure those photographs and show them off occasionally when I get a chance. May he rest in peace.

Posted by Steve Franzreb, proprietor: The Frame Shoppe on February 20, 2015 (13:02)
My sincere condolences to the Hoinke family,, Erv was a pillar of the community in western hills,, a good friend and patron of the arts,, His work ethic as a businessman ,, set the bar for others,, like myself,, whom are self -employed. . He will be missed

Posted by Todd, Pam and Alyssa Hunsche on February 19, 2015 (13:27)
To the Hoinke Family, Erv was the ultimate expression of the "Joy of Life". We always had a good time when we visited Russ and Amy and Erv was there. He always had a smile and a good word. He was genuine, kind, compassionate and inspiring. Our hearts go out to the Hoinke family.

Posted by Kevin Walter Kevinwalter@bowlatpinheads.com on February 19, 2015 (10:29)
Many of my greatest memories as a young man were in Western Bowl and especially competing in the classic... I also enjoyed our chats during the proprietor meetings. Thanks for all you did Erv!

Posted by Stan Clanton on February 19, 2015 (02:40)
I would like to send my most sincere condolences to the Hoinke family. I clearly remember the day of his first 300 game. Me and Mr. A.D. Byrd were bowling in the doubles event several lanes down from him. I will always remember Mr. Erv Hoinke jr and his family with the utmost respect and admiration. May God continue to bless this family and give them peace at this time.

Posted by Raymond LeCesse on February 18, 2015 (22:48)
My condolences to Russ and the entire Hoinke family. I had the pleasure of meeting Erv Sr in 1975 while bowling the Hoinke, Later on I not only meet Erv Jr and Russ, but was welcomed by them to come down and spend some time in their offices while researching having a program written for our tournament, The Lilac City in Rochester, NY. They opened up their doors to show me what they had done and offered valuablr advice. When talking tournaments, we always stated our desire to emulate The Hoinke. The tournament was one of the finest as is the Hoinke family. On behalf of my family and the staff and management of the Lilac City Tournament, I send our heartfelt prayers and condolences.

Posted by Justin Klekamp on February 18, 2015 (19:57)
From Scott Schorsch on Facebook: Many have already said yet it cannot be repeated enough, the bowling world has lost a true ambassador today. May you rest in peace Mr. Hoinke. He has touched countless lives over the years and if you are a bowler you knew the name. I had the pleasure of working for Mr. Hoinke and the Hoinke Family for many years and you could not have had a better employer. I am very fortunate and thankful for all the opportunities I have had over the years and being part of the Western Bowl Family during the Hoinke era is one of them. He was kind, generous and very personable and his love for the game cannot be measured. He was not above mingling with the bowlers or stopping to chat with his employees. Is it irony that the tri-state is under a snow storm on this very sad day and the majority of leagues will be cancelled tonight? I don't believe so. I think it is the work of a higher power creating that moment of silence to honor one of the greatest men in the city and the sport of bowling. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hoinke Family and may God comfort all of you through this difficult time.

Posted by Fred and Charlene Vonderschmidt on February 18, 2015 (16:41)
When a beautiful story has been told...we keep it alive in our hearts! With Sincere Sympathy

Posted by Jerry Thomas on February 18, 2015 (16:13)
When I hear the name Erv Hoinke, I have to smile because of all the great times we shared on and off the golf course. He was a gentleman and friend, as evidenced by all the comments above.

Posted by matt brockert on February 18, 2015 (14:16)
I am so sorry on hearing about the loss of a great man, Erv Hoinke.He was great for the sport of bowling ! My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hoinke family !

Posted by Anne & Pat Madix on February 18, 2015 (13:48)
So sorry for your loss. Your entire family is in our prayers.

Posted by Justin Klekamp on February 18, 2015 (12:46)
from Steve Kuzniczci on Facebook: When the day comes that I stand in front of my maker, if he asks who made significant positive impacts in my life, I will probably have fewer than ten people to mention. I am talking about those who have made me say to myself “I should be more like him (or her).” Today I have learned of the passing of one of those people. I was in my twenties when I met him. He seemed to be a legend in the bowling community but he always seemed to have time to speak with me no matter what was going on around him. I was fortunate enough to be able to represent the state of Ohio in the U.S. Open bowling tournament in Atlantic City in the mid to late 80’s. After making a shot I looked back in the audience to see him there rooting for me. He came from Cincinnati to Atlantic City because of the tournament and took time to come see how I was doing. That was impactful to me. After returning to Cincinnati he always made an effort to reach out to me at the lanes and always seemed to speak well of everyone, whether they deserved it or not. BUT…..The thing I remember most about him was the time I brought a friend to bowl in “The Tournament.” Doubles in the Hoinke Classic was this man’s dream. This man was a mentally challenged individual whose lifelong dream was to bowl doubles in the Hoinke Classic so I took him to Western Bowl to help make that dream come true. On arriving at the lanes this man saw me come in and made his way over to say hi. As I explained why we were there and seeing how excited my mentally challenged friend was he set it up so we would be on an end where we would have less opportunity to disturb those who had a legitimate chance to win. That was all I asked of my friend as I was concerned that we may be a distraction, but, being the true gentleman he was, he went and got quite a few trinkets from the tournament, came to our lanes, introduced himself to my doubles partner, thanked him for coming to bowl in his tournament and gave him all those trinkets. My mentally challenged friend had probably the best day of his life because of the generosity of this man. I am sure to Erv, it was just another day but he I can tell you, my mentally challenged friend remembered that day with incredible fondness until his passing. I can also tell you that one act of kindness to someone less fortunate has also remained with me for thirty years. Erv Hoinke was someone I admired. He was not only an ambassador to bowling; he was an ambassador for humanity. I hope God will be with his family and friends to comfort them in their loss. Rest in peace Erv.

Posted by Robin Wood Creager on February 18, 2015 (10:03)
I have wonderful memories of him and how very sweet he was. Growing up my brother Jesse Wood and myself bowled every Saturday on the morning leagues. He would stop anything to offer assistance with picking up that spare. Lot of great memories there. Parents and all aunts and uncles also bowled in leagues fir many many years. As kids we ran the alley.. bought pop and pretzels and just hung out. Walking in it always had "that bowling smell". Losing your dad is so hard. .we just lost our daddy and mom 5 weeks later just over the holidays. So treasure all the memories and carry him close to your heart. There's a new tradition starting in heaven this week. .. The 1st Angel Classic begins

Posted by robin Wood Creager on February 18, 2015 (10:00)
I have wonderful memories of him and how very sweet he was. Growing up my brother Jesse Wood and myself bowled every Saturday on the morning leagues. He works stop anything to offer assistance with picking up that spare. Lot of great memories there. Patents and all aunts and uncles also bowled in leagues fir many many years. As kids we ran the alley.. bought pop and pretzels and just hung out. Walking in it always had "that bowling smell". Losing your dad is so hard. .we just lost our daddy and mom 5 weeks later just over the holidays. So treasure all the memories and carry him close to your heart. There's a new tradition starting in heaven this week. .. The 1st Angel Classic begins

Posted by Christine and Dan Bissmeyer on February 18, 2015 (08:02)
I have many fond memories of years spent in Western Bowl and we were all friends with "Mr. Hoinke". My dad, George Rahe Jr. ran the bar, I think it was the Cheyenne Room, and he and Erv were good friends. Many of my Dad's paintings hung on the walls at Western Bowl. I had my wedding brunch in the Mustang Room and my husband was in a band that played in that room for a long time. We also had 3 of the old curved wooden benches from where the bowlers sat as our first furniture when we married in '67. Our condolences to the Hoinke family.

Posted by David and Millie on February 18, 2015 (06:26)
Sorry for your loss, Angel. Sounds like an interesting father-in-law. I'm sure your kids will miss him.

Posted by mark harrison on February 18, 2015 (01:31)
Hoinkets goes to the Hoinke family. As a former employee it was my pleasure working for Mr Hoinke. I was always treated with the upmost respect from the family. I will never forget the opportunity that he and the Hoinke family gave me. He on several occasions sponsored me and my former wife to bowl out of town with the Cincinnati blind bowling league. I will always cherish and be thankful to the family. May God Bless this family forever.

Posted by Daniel and Patricia Dick on February 17, 2015 (20:21)
So sorry for your loss. God bless the entire Hoinke family our prayers are with each and everyone of you.

Posted by Chris Kern on February 17, 2015 (18:12)
I'm so sorry about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hoinke family!

Posted by Ronda Hutson on February 17, 2015 (17:42)
Deepest sympathy to the Hoinke family on the loss of husband, father, grandpa and friend to many. A true gentleman with a contagious smile. Erv did so much for the sport of bowling in the Cincinnati area and made many a young bowlers' dream come true. Spread your wings and fly God's newest angel. You will be missed by many.

Posted by Floyd & Chrissie Kinf on February 17, 2015 (16:15)
Floyd and I are so sorry for your loss. Erv was an amazing funny man that we have had the pleasure of knowing! God Bless!

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