Val G. Hinze

Val G. Hinze was born November 29,1930 to Elsie Schroeder and Willie A. Hinze on the family farm. Val was very proud of working to have the family property recognized as a Century Farm through Family Land Heritage Program. Growing up on the farm instilled a love for animals, a green thumb for gardening, and an appreciation for nature in general. He was usually accompanied by family pets, usually his dogs, on trips through fields, woods, and never turned down an opportunity to fish or hunt.

Val graduated from Burton High School and was drafted to serve his country in July of 1952 serving in the Korean War. He utilized his farm knowledge in working as a utility repairman to keep things up and running. Anyone knowing Val would laugh that one of the recognitions he received was a “Good Conduct Medal”.

Once Val returned home, he resumed work on his education by attending Blinn Jr College, and completed his education at Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science and later his Master’s Degree. Val earned his teaching certificate and started a lifetime career of teaching, teaching science in Richards, Needville, Palacios, and Moulton school districts. Over 30 years later, Val retired from teaching while living in Moulton so he could resume those trips back to the farm for work and fishing as often as possible. There was no idle time as he was constantly tinkering on something in his shop or barn, or dreaming up a wood working project. His greatest woodworking projects were made from cedar which was harvested from family property and milled into lumber. It was during his teaching at Moulton that he met Thelma Fowler, a new teacher to Moulton, at none other than a faculty meeting.

It seems there were many minds working together to get these two together, and on June 6, 1965 Thelma and Val were married. In January of 1968 they welcomed the arrival of their daughter, Jennifer. During their time in Moulton Val served his community with several terms on the Moulton City Council. Once Thelma retired from teaching, they moved back to the farm. It was at this time Val became a member of the American Legion Quade Werchan Post 338, was a member of the local Young Farmers Chapter, and again set up gardening and every time he went to “check cows”, a fishing pole was placed in the back of his Mule, or his dog was placed by his side for the adventure. As Val aged, holding a vast array of knowledge, he was affectionately referred to by Jennifer and David as “The Supervisor”, as much of their farm work required adequate supervision to ensure they were doing things correctly.

Val passed away July 27, 2025 at Schulenburg Regency Nursing Home at the age of 94. Val is survived by his wife of 60 years, Thelma Hinze and daughter Jennifer and husband David Mohr of Carmine. Val was preceded in death by his parents Elsie and Willie A. Hinze, sister Ruth Bayer, and brother Willie L. Hinze, Sr.

Pallbearers will be Howard Hinze, Austin Miller, Robert Hinze, Chad Pasak, Chuck Vincik, Austin Eaton, and Honorary pallbearer Kenneth Fishbeck. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center and Hospice of South Texas.

In lieu of flowers, family asks that donations be made to Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter in LaGrange or to Hospice of South Texas, or any of their regions in Texas.

Visitation will be at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine, Texas beginning at 2:00pm on Friday, August 1st.

Funeral services will also be at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine beginning at 3:00pm on Friday, August 1st. Burial will take place with military honors at the Carmine Cemetery. Karen Buck will be officiating.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Condolences may be shared at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com