Eric W. Hines
February 04, 2010
Eric Hines, 39, died Feb. 4, 2010, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa, with his family by his side. Eric was born on July 2, 1970, in Cedar Falls to Kent and Kay (Larsen) Hines, moving to Johnston in 1982. He graduated from Johnston H.S. in 1988. He attended ICCC and DMACC, and graduated from Iowa State University in 1993.
Eric married Christine Leonard in 1993, and their son Nick was born in 1997.
On Jan. 2, 1998, while helping the Clear Lake H.S. wrestling team, Eric had a cardiac arrest and suffered an anoxic brain injury. He has lived at On With Life in Glenwood since 2001.
Prior to his injury, Eric worked for DEX yellow pages while living in Clear Lake. He loved his family and friends, and everything life had to offer. He was an avid golfer, played rugby, boated and water skied. He loved gambling trips to Las Vegas and local casinos. He hunted, fished, and followed sports, especially wrestling and football. He was proud to be a Cyclone, and tail gating was a favorite activity. He also loved Johnston HS.
Eric was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dr. Aubrey and Marynelle Larsen, Jerry Hines and Frances Hines, and cousins Al Larsen and Abby Mahoney.
Eric is survived by his parents of Johnston, son Nick (Omaha), sister Lana (Trey) Strong and nieces and nephew, Jerra, Lauren and Logan Strong (Las Vegas, NV), Nick’s mother Christine Knudson (Omaha), grandmother Ruth Hines (Nevada), and beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, and wonderful friends.
Eric received wonderful care at On With Life and Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, and we are so grateful to the nurses, doctors, therapists and staff who have lovingly cared for Eric. We also appreciate the support of friends and family during the last 12 years.
The Mass of Celebration will be Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 10 a.m. from St. Pius X Catholic Church in Urbandale. The visitation will be Monday from 5:30 until 8:00 pm at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines.
Memorials are being established to Johnston H.S. and On With Life in Eric’s name.
Online condolences may be made at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com
Jeff Goldhorn
02/07/2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I had the opportunity to know Eric during the Cedar Falls years. We were good friends growing up and I have fond memories of riding our BMX bike around Cherry Wood. I also remember riding motorcross around a trail at the house, going to CF High School basketball games where we served as ball boys, and many other memories. Eric's smile and energy was contagious. What a loss. Take care and God bless.
-Jeff
Marilynn and Leo Duffy
02/07/2010
We are thinking of you and wish we were there to offer our support this week. Take care of yourself.
Marilynn and Duff
MHM staff
02/06/2010
All our love and deepest sympathies. May you find peace in each other and joy in having known such a great human being.
Larry & Donna Leonard
02/05/2010
Our heartfelt sympathy to your family.
Eric brought much joy to family and friends
both near and far. We recall how much he
enjoyed his golf games and fishing trips!
Our thoughts are reflected in the
following poem.
God looked around his garden
And he found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
Gods garden must be beautiful
Because He only takes the best.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did
Not go alone, for parts of us went with you,
The day God called you home.