John Hiniker, age 92, of North Mankato, died Thursday, February 05, 2009 at Oaklawn Health Care Center in Mankato.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 9, 2009 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Rev. Peter Nosbush officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a 4 p.m. prayer service, Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Landkamer Johnson-Boman Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

John P. was born April 20, 1916 in Belgrade Township, North Mankato to Joseph P. and Barbara (Wagner) Hiniker. He grew up there and after school years, farmed for his father until 1938 when he went into the Sand and Gravel Business. On October 4, 1941, John was united in marriage to Ann Neubert. In 1942 he was drafted into the US Navy Seabees and operated a sawmill at Camp Peary, VA. for 22 months. He then shipped to California and on to the Island of Okinawa where he served as a Heavy Equipment Operator until the end of World War II. John returned home and back into the Sand and Gravel Business until 1972 when the City of Mankato bought his pit and named it Hiniker Pond, which became a popular public swimming, fishing and walking park. John was deeply religious and served as an usher at Holy Rosary Church for 35 years. He was president of the Legion of Mary for 17 years. This group met every week and spent time visiting nursing homes and the aged and lonely. Also he was a member of Perpetual Adoration group for 12 years and met each week at St. John's Catholic Church in Mankato. John was also a private pilot, loved to fly and logged nearly 1000 hours flying time in all. John also was a restorer of antique farm tractors. Through this work he became associated with the LeSueur County Pioneer Power Association and through them he got into the Early Day Farm tractor Decal Business. His name soon got around as the best Tractor Decal Supplier. He sold decals in all 50 states and 13 foreign countries, many in Australia. John enjoyed traditional Catholic values and became friends with Rev. Joseph Friesleben, Rev. Leo Krzmarzick and Msgr. Alton Scheid and Fr. Thomas Mroczka (a traditionalist).

John is survived by his two children and spouses, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchild, one sister, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews [survivors names omitted].

He is preceded in death by his wife Ann, an infant son, five brothers and five sisters.—Landkamer–Johnson–Boman Funeral Home, Mankato, MN