Lucille F. Kinkler

Lucille Carolyn (Finke) Kinkler, born on February 15, 1932, in Tynan, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on January 10, 2025, at Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville. She was 92 and resided in Clareville.

She was the daughter of Otto Dietrich and Otelia Freida (Natho) Finke. Lucille was born on the Finke farm in Tynan where she grew up. She attended school in Tynan until her senior year of high school when Tynan and Skidmore schools consolidated. She was the valedictorian of the first graduating class of Skidmore-Tynan I.S.D. in 1949. Lucille was introduced to Walter Ernest Kinkler in 1951 by her cousin, Ruby Finke, and Ruby’s fiancé, Richard “Dick” Maxwell, a friend of Walter’s. They were married on August 18, 1951 at Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church (later known as Peace United Church of Christ) in Tynan. 

She was a cherished member of her community and a beloved educator who dedicated many years to teaching piano and nurturing the musical talents of her students. Lucille began teaching piano in 1949 after earning her teaching certification from St. Louis Institute of Music in St. Louis, Missouri. When she began teaching, she taught privately in the First Baptist and First Methodist churches in Mathis, the schools at Tynan and Skidmore, and for several years traveled from house to house teaching students in their homes. In 1977, Walter remodeled his radio and TV shop into a studio so that she could teach at home. She taught private piano lessons for more than 62 years.

Lucille was a charter member of Coastal Plains Music Teachers Association in which she served as President from 1981-1983. She was also chairman of the Texas Music Teachers Association Student Affiliate Original Composition and later Music Teachers National Association Original Composition chairman. She was also a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and was elected to the Guild’s Hall of Fame in 1975. She was the first member of Texas Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association in this area to receive their certification by examination which she received June 1, 1982. Lucille was also a homemaker on the farm and ranch where she and Walter lived. She loved baking and cooking, especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lucille was very active in her church at Peace United Church of Christ in Tynan where she served the church as organist from 1947-1977. In 1977, she and Walter transferred their membership to First United Methodist Church of Beeville where Lucille served as church organist for many years beginning in May of 1980.

She was preceded in death by her father, Otto Dietrich Finke and mother Otelia Natho Finke; by her husband Walter Kinkler; and also her sister Joyce Hertel and honorary sister Ruby Maxwell.

She is survived by her three children, her son David (Lori) Kinkler, her two daughters Patsy Kinkler and Karen Kinkler all of Beeville. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Tammy (James) Curry, Wesley (Emily) Kinkler and Kimberly (Landie) Brenner. Lucille was further blessed by five great-grandchildren, Kayla Curry, Austin Curry, Wendy Sharp, Rylee Kinkler and Wesley Michael Kinkler. She is also survived by a niece, Cheryl Schuff; a great-niece, Meghan (Kit) Zimmerman; and a great-nephew, John (Anne) Schuff. Additionally, she held dear honorary daughters, Debbie Fulton and Diana (Noe) Aguilar, who were an important part of her life. 

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home. 

The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Adrienne Zermeno officiating. She will be assisted by Pastor Dean Fleming and Pastor William “Bill” Duke. 

Lucille will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Walter Kinkler, at Glenwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Troy Draper, Glen Ford, Randall Matheson, Jim Anderson, Matt Matheson, William Schirmer, Kristofer Linney and Wesley Kinkler.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Joseph Larakers, Dr. Maria Palafox, Dr. Ray Graf, Dr. John Meyer, DC, Dr. Ramiro Garcia, DDS, Fred Dodd, Kenneth Wallek, Austin Curry and Wesley Michael Kinkler.

The family appreciates the caring and loving doctors, ICU, OR and ER staff and second floor nursing staff, CNA’s, Respiratory staff, X-Ray staff, housekeeping staff and food service who interacted with Lucille from Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville.