Lynn Ellen Hinkley, age 70, passed away on September 6, 2026, in Peoria, Illinois. She was born to the late Arthur and Maybelle Hinkley in Long Beach, California, on October 18, 1955.

Lynn will be fondly remembered as a dynamically outgoing person who never met a stranger. She loved connecting with people in everyday situations and making them laugh. And her laugh! Her kids would cringe with embarrassment when she would laugh in public - full and free and completely genuine. It is safe to say that all four of them not only inherited the laugh, but also delight in mortifying their own children with it as often as possible. 

She held many job titles over the years - waitress, secretary, long haul truck driver, certified nursing assistant - but being a mom was her favorite role. A creative, hardworking force of nature, she could turn a run-of-the-mill birthday party into a beauty pageant featuring evening gown and talent competitions. She never said no to buying a box of sugary cereal or a bag of powdered donuts, insisted that the cake batter bowl be licked clean, and made sure the mac and cheese always had plenty of hot dogs. When times got hard, she worked as much as one person possibly could to make sure her kids were provided for.

She was one of those people who could make anyone feel like family; make anyone feel like they belonged. Children were always drawn to her, and she loved making things fun and magical for them. Animals were absolutely obsessed with her, and she was never more at peace than when she was with her precious dog Baby, who stuck by her for over twenty years! She was visually expressive and loved everything about dressing up and decorating her space, especially with antiques or anything that reminded her of California.

Lynn is survived by her daughter Samantha Boehle and her sons Joshua Sedbrook, Douglas Frank and Raymond Frank, as well as her brother Rod Hinkley and her sister Nina McQuown. She leaves behind a host of grandchildren, family and friends that will miss her dearly.

Cremation has taken place, and no public service will follow, but if you want to remember Lynn, listen to the Beach Boys, strike up a conversation with a stranger, watch a few episodes of I Love Lucy, play peek-a-boo with a baby, or eat some mint chocolate chip ice cream. Thank you to everyone for your condolences.