Joseph Eramo, 86, Vero Beach
Joseph “Cookie” Eramo passed away on May 12, 2020, at the age of 86, in Vero Beach. The son of Vincent “Frank” and Theresa (Ricci) Eramo, He was born on June 2, 1933, in Herkimer, N.Y.
He was a graduate of the class of 1952 at Herkimer High School. Joe was drafted into the United States Army in 1953 and served until 1955. On Aug. 20, 1955, he married Martha Simbroski at St. Joseph’s Church in Herkimer, N.Y. A loving and close relationship of nearly 65 years, they had been sweethearts since he was 16 and Martha was 13. He was employed by Remington Arms in Ilion for 25 years. He was a resident of Herkimer and Mohawk before he and Martha retired to Florida in 2002.
Joseph was a member of Saint John of The Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach. He enjoyed spending his leisure time playing billiards with his friends and enjoying the Florida weather where he could maintain his beautiful garden. He was a compassionate man and would do anything to help out his friends or neighbors.
In earlier years, many good times were spent at his parents home on Pleasant Avenue in Herkimer with his parents, siblings, family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Martha; his sons, Joseph Eramo Jr. (wife, Cathy), of Wall, N.J., Christopher Eramo (husband, Paul Santos), of Boston, Mass.; granddaughter, Sarah Thalheim (husband, Marc), of Hoboken, N.J.; sister, Philomena “Fanny” Moretti, of Herkimer, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Frances Eramo, of Arizona; and many nieces, nephews and cousins who so much loved their uncle Cookie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, John Eramo (age 6), Vincent Eramo (wife, Patrica), Albert Eramo (wife, Olga), and Anthony Eramo, Jennie Giangregorio (husband, Vincent); brother-in-law, John Moretti.
Arrangements for cremation are being handled by Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach, Florida. He will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Herkimer at a later date.
James J. Hinkle, 81, Sebastian
James J. Hinkle, 81, of Sebastian, went home to be with his Savior on Monday, May 11, 2020. James, affectionately known to most as “Brother Hinkle” or “Brother Jimmy” was born to William and Lydia Hinkle on April 8, 1939, in Weatherly, Pa.
He and his seven brothers and two sisters were raised in a home with limited material possessions but rich in love. As a teenager he was deeply moved by the martyrdom of Jim Elliot and his four missionary companions in the jungles of Ecuador in January of 1956. The words etched in Elliot’s journal burned in James’ heart and soul, “He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
At the age of 17, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior giving birth to a relationship that guided and motivated his life for the next 64 years. Not long after his conversion, he felt God’s call into the ministry.
After moving to Florida, he met his life-long love, Annette Hogan, in a church parking lot. He had just finished delivering a sermon, and upon leaving the sanctuary, found that his car had a flat tire. As he began the arduous task of replacing the tire in the humid Florida summer weather, a young lady and her mother stopped by and invited him to lunch. Thus began a love story and a marriage that would span 61 years. Over the years, one of James’s favorite pastimes was blaming Annette for flattening his tire in order to reel him in.
After a short stay in his hometown, James and Annette moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he would attend Bible school at Tennessee Temple College. In 1963, they moved back to Florida where he planted and pastored the Bible Fellowship Church in Vero Beach. One night, while staying at a Christian camp in Okeechobee, Fla., God gave him a vision of a ranch for needy boys. From the very beginning, he felt that this ministry must be a work of faith without dependence upon fundraising or government subsidy. Although he did not have any idea how this ranch would come to fruition, Jimmy believed and trusted in the promise of Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
With only 50 cents in his pocket and a reliance upon the providence of God, James prayed for God’s guidance and will to be done. Soon, Mrs. Claude Smith called with an offer to donate 31 acres of undeveloped land for a boys’ ranch. On Jimmy’s 26th birthday in 1965, the corporation papers were signed, and Shiloh Youth Ranch was born. Over the following 55 years, by the miraculous providence of God, the ranch grew to the beautiful 56-acre campus it is today and Brother Jimmy served faithfully as director, counsellor, cottage parent, cook, builder, farmer, teacher, maintenance man, and pastor of the Shiloh Tabernacle.
Although our hearts are heavy with our loss, we rejoice in knowing that our beloved husband, father, friend, and faithful servant is in the land of “no more” –no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither any more pain: for the former things are passed away. He often spoke of the many dear ones with whom he had served and to whom he had ministered who had graduated to glory and were awaiting his arrival. What a glorious reunion there has been at the gates of heaven!
Brother Jimmy is survived by his wife, Annette; as well as five children and their spouses – Mark & Shelly Hinkle of Sebastian, Florida; Hugh & Rebecca Boike of Sebastian, Florida; John & Sandy Hinkle, of Traverse City, Michigan; Matthew & Sheila Hinkle of Lake Ann, Michigan, and Tim & Esther Hopwood of Shell Lake, Wisconsin. Also cherishing his memory are seven grandchildren – Lydia Hinkle, Amanda Boike, Adam Boike, David Hinkle, Nathan Hinkle, Mikayla Hinkle, and Alison Hinkle, and a brother and sister, Henry Hinkle and Ruth Hinkle, as well as hundreds of boys and men whose lives were touched by his.
A memorial service celebrating James’ life and ministry will be announced at a future date.
Memorial contributions in Brother Jimmy’s honor may be directed to Shiloh Youth Ranch, 10655 Roseland Road, Sebastian, Florida 32958.