Cornelius "Neil" Hyink 1941 - 2017

HYINK, PINZ

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/10/2017 at 10:49:49

Sioux City Journal
6 January 2017

SIOUX CITY | Cornelius "Neil" Hyink, 75, of Grand Rapids, Minn., formerly of Sioux City, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 1, 2017.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Grand Rapids Alliance Church 600 SE 17th St., with full military honors. The Rev. Randy Junker will officiate. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. today at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Grand Rapids. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Neil was born in 1941, to Cornelius and Dessa Hyink, in Sioux City. He graduated from Morningside College and became a pilot in the U.S. Navy for 10 years. Neil flew the E2 Hawkeye off aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War and he continued serving with another 12 years in the Navy Reserve flying the C-118.

In 1976, Neil was a pilot for Mesabi Airlines in Grand Rapids until they ceased operations. He then flew Air Emergency for a short time before moving to Burnsville, Minn. There he worked for MN Dot as an aviation safety representative. This led to the meeting of Gretchen Pinz whom he married on Sept. 13, 1980. In 1992, Neil moved his family to Grand Rapids.

Neil enjoyed watching high school athletics along with officiating volleyball and softball games. He especially enjoyed timing, running the scoreboard and playing music for the girls and boys high school basketball games.

Neil is survived by his wife, Gretchen; daughters, Cheryl and Diane (Deniz) Ozakcay; and brother Paul (Janice).

Preceding him in death were his parents.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Neil Hyink Memorial Scholarship Fund for GRHS athletes.