John R. Sinks, Jr.

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JOHN R. SINKS, JR., 83, formerly of Fort Wayne, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, in Nazareth, Pa. He was the husband of the late Mary Lou (Akers) Sinks, with whom he shared over 46 years of loving marriage. Born in Fort Wayne, he was the son of the late John and Norene (Williams) Sinks, Sr. He graduated from North Side High School, and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He earned his BA Degree from Indiana University, and later earned a Masters Degree in Education from Ball State University. He was a guidance counselor and government teacher at Elmhurst High School for 18 years, retiring in 1993. He was a public servant to the people of Indiana, serving in both the State House and Senate for 32 consecutive years. He also enjoyed being a very active member of the Scottish Rite, Mizpah Shrine and Trinity Episcopal Church. Survivors are son, John (Lisa) Sinks III of Bethlehem, Pa.; grandson, Dane Sinks. Memorial service is 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 611 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne, with calling from 10 to 11 a.m. Friends may also call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, Wayne Street Chapel, 420 W. Wayne t., Fort Wayne...Memorial contributions may be made to the church; the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

[Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Friday, December 14, 2012, page 2C]


John Sinks dies; served 32 years in House, Senate

John R. Sinks Jr., a Fort Wayne teacher and guidance counselor for 38 years and a state legislator for 32 years, died Dec. 8 in Pennsylvania, where his son's family lives. He was 83.

Sinks taught government at Elmhurst High School until his retirement in 1993, and he served 32 consecutive years in the Indiana House and Senate until in retirement in 1996.

"He had a profound effect on a lot of people," John Sinks III said. "My whole life I've run into people he's impacted."

Sinks died of Alzheimer's after being diagnosed about eight years ago, his son said.

Born in Fort Wayne, the elder Sinks graduated from North Side High School and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and later earned a master's degree in education from Ball State University.

Sinks said hi father's generosity with his time for constituents was sometimes difficult for him to understand growing up. Now he is grateful.

"He was always so giving to other people, he was committed to his constituents. I had about the best role model a person could have," the younger Sinks said. "If he believed he could help them, he would do anything he could, that was just his nature...He was on the phone lot or being pulled aside at a restaurant a lot or pulled aside at church. But he was very patient and always willing to see what he could do."

Sinks said his father, a Republican, was respected by all.

"He was a unique breed of politician," Sinks said. "He was respected by not only those in his own party, but those he went up against."

Tim Borne, CEO of Asher Agency, was in Sinks' classroom in 1964 and said the experience still affects him.

"He was just one of those teachers where I had a profound experience in learning what he taught me," Borne aid. "That's kind of what got me interested in government, politics, governance and public policy."

Borne majored in political science in college because of Sinks, he said.

"He was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet," Borne said. "I would drop over to his house and just chat long after I was out of high school. He was still fun to learn from."

Sinks was an active member of the Scottish Rite, where he was awarded the 33rd degree for his community service, the Mizpah Shrine and Trinity Episcopal Church.

Besides his son, Sinks is survived by his daughter-in-law, Lisa Sinks, and grandson Dane Sinks.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 611 W. Berry St. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, 420 W. Wayne St., and from 10 a.m. until time of services at church Monday.

Memorial contributions can be made to the church or the Alzheimer' Foundation of America.

[Story by Dan Stockman, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Saturday, December 15, 2012, page 3C]