Harold Leroy Hineline

Harold Leroy Hineline, the oldest son of Ella Fern Hineline and Harold K. Hineline was born March 29, 1935 in Ruskin, Nebraska. He left this life and went to be with the Lord on June 11, 2022 in the comfort of his home at the age of 87.

Harold was the oldest son and grew up with his 3 siblings, Evelyn, Lester and Larry. He attended grade school and High School in Nebraska. When he graduated from High School he moved to California and attended the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science.  Harold graduated in 1961 and moved to Bakersfield where he joined Hopson Mortuary and spent his career there as a mortician for more than 40 years. He was fascinated with the human body and had empathy for those dealing with death. He felt privileged to be a part of the natural human life process and be able to help lay people to rest. His colleagues valued him because he was a hard worker who was reliable and dedicated to the job and they also appreciated his humor.

Harold married Dolores Hineline on July 26, 1980 in an intimate ceremony with their most cherished friends and family. They became a blended family as Harold had two daughters and Dolores had 3 daughters and a son from previous marriages. Harold loved his family very much and took care of them very well. He spent almost 42 years lovingly doting on his beloved wife, Dolores Hineline whom he always treated like a queen. In his prime years he loved the annual trips he took with Dolores to Cabo San Lucas. He started a family tradition when he found a hidden treasure on the Central Coast, a sleepy little town called Cayucos. Each year the family would travel to Cayucos and spend a week at the beach enjoying each other’s company and making memories for years to come. Harold was instrumental in making sure that the family had everything they needed for the trip to be a success. He would load up his trailer for the family and he was lovingly known as the “ice fairy,” always making sure each family had plenty of ice in their ice chests throughout the week. The family has held onto this tradition to this day. Harold also enjoyed his trips to the Midwest, visiting his two daughters that lived out there and their families.

Harold had a servant’s heart and was willing to do anything for the ones that he loved. He was a member of the Bakersfield Chapter of Kiwanis where he dedicated his time in service to the community. He was also an avid blood donor and advocate, proudly donating gallons of blood over the years, becoming a member of the 18 Gallon Club at Houchin Blood Bank.  He attended Cross Roads Church with Dolores. He loved watching cowboy movies and especially the ones with John Wayne. Harold had quite the sweet tooth. He loved apple pie and he had yet to find a cookie he didn’t like. He was a die-hard Nebraska Cornhuskers football fan.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, sister Evelyn, brother Larry and his daughter Cathie.

Harold leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife Dolores Hineline; his brother and sister-in-law Lester and Lila Hineline; his children Elaine & Mark Hertz, Kristine & Robert Lynch, Anna & Daily Brown, Sophie Williams, Paul & Terry Aguilar; 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and many loving relatives and friends.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. A special thanks to his caretaker Fabby, who took great care of Harold and Dolores with genuine compassion and kindness. 

            A celebration of life will take place on Friday, June 24, 2022 at 4:00p.m. at The Lodge at Four Seasons, 10500 Toscana Dr., Bakersfield, CA.