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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Hintz, John C. “Hans”

Age 78

HINTZ, John C. “Hans” John C. Hintz, peacefully slipped into the arms of our Lord and joined his wife, Katharina, in heaven at 11:05 p.m. on September 20, 2015.

He was surrounded by the love of his four children and grandchildren during his last hours here on earth.

He was born Johannes Conrad Hintz on July 1, 1937 to Elisabeth Kiefel-Hintz and Maximilian Hintz in Mangeapunar, Romania.

The family went through tough times during the war and eventually in 1959, he came to America with his mother, brother and sister to start a new life in Spokane, Washington.

John worked and went to school and then enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany.

There he met his sweetheart, Katharina Gerlinde Albrecht-Hintz.

They were married in January, 1961 and their first child, a daughter, was born shortly thereafter.

They moved back to America in 1962 and settled in Spokane, Washington.

They purchased their first home together and, eventually, had three more children, all boys.

John’s greatest passion was his family and providing a good education for his four children.

He also was an excellent carpenter, welder, layout fitter and handyman.

John could fix anything with perfection!

He enjoyed going on vacations to the Oregon Coast and Canada as well as camping and fishing trips and loved to play and coach soccer.

A special highlight for John was when he and Katharina along with their daughter, Diana and John’s youngest brother, Edward, all became American citizens in 1974.

That is when he legally changed his name from Johannes to John.

John is survived by his four children, their spouses and his grandchildren: Diana and David Arnold, Jeffrey, Ryan and Amanda; George and Sue Hintz, Lindsey Gilbert, Katie, Robbie, Marissa, and Serenity; John and Carrie Hintz, Steve and Jenna Gale and Emily; Kevin Hintz, Ari and Tanner; along with a sister, Renate Bentley, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Katharina G. Albrecht-Hintz; his parents, Elisabeth Kiefel-Hintz and Maximilian Hintz; as well as his oldest brother, Georg Hinz and youngest brother, Edward Hintz.

His children and grandchildren will greatly miss John’s wit and sense of humor.

We will love you forever, Dad and Opa!

There will be a funeral service held on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 9:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery and Funeral Center Chapel located at 7200 N. Wall St., Spokane WA with a burial service directly following.

Later that day, the family will have an Oktoberfest and celebration of John’s life from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Quality Inn Oakwood, Cascade B room located at 7919 N. Division St., Spokane, WA.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude and appreciation for the staff and care that he received while he lived at the Guardian Angel, Assisted Living house located in Liberty Lake, WA along with his physicians, Dr. Lon Madsen and Dr. Ryan Holbrook, and Hospice House Spokane.

Arrangements have been entrusted to: