Obituary of Reuben Culpepper Hinsdale

On Sunday, August 14th, Reuben Culpepper Hinsdale - beloved son and brother - passed away.

Reuben was born on November 15th, 2004, in Edgewood, Kentucky. Though you wouldn’t have guessed it, he was actually a bit of a sickly baby. Though, through the power of Christ and one Dr. Charles Kelly, Reuben grew to be a healthy young man. As a child, he loved spending his summers in North Carolina and begging his parents to sign him up for sports he didn’t really want to play. Despite his preference to play in the dirt in the outfield or to complain on the sidelines of the soccer field, he grew up to be quite the athlete. Reuben was a talented archer (one of the best in the state!) and enjoyed playing football in high school. Though Reuben did not enjoy school itself, he loved playing sports and building his own sense of community.

Throughout his life he was and aspired to be many things: a farmer, a cowboy, a musician, a football player, an archer, and a JROTC cadet. His most important role, however, was the brother, son, and friend we all knew him to be. Reuben grew up with his siblings Elizabeth and Evan. They went through many challenges, but most importantly, they survived and persevered together. In middle school, Reuben welcomed a new brother, Waylon, to the world, whom he loved fiercely. As a son, he learned and shared many of his passions with his parents. Vanessa, Reuben’s mom, became his archery coach and shared his love for cars and Star Wars. With his father Shannon and stepmother Brittany, Reuben explored his interests in music and horse riding.

Though he was only with us for 17 years, Reuben left a crater-sized impact in our lives. He was passionate and loud and kindhearted and fiercely true to himself. Reuben was quick with a joke and the life of any party. Keeping in line with who he was, this will be a celebration of life - not of death itself.

In passing, he will join his grandparents Valerie Moorman, Jim and Kay Hinsdale, as well as his cousin Quinton Webber. He will be remembered in life by his mother Vanessa Hinsdale, his father Shannon Hinsdale, his stepmother Brittany Hinsdale, his sister Elizabeth Hinsdale, his brothers Evan and Waylon Hinsdale, his grandpa Mike Moorman, and step-grandparents Roger and Angie Gibson. His spirit will also live on through his extended family, friends, teammates, and community.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 19th from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Independence. The funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, August 20th at Hickory Grove with the burial following at Independence Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Reuben's name to the Hinsdale family in care of Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Home. The family asks that guests wear their favorite concert or school shirt in Reuben’s honor both days but formal wear acceptable at the funeral if desired.