Peoria Man Puts Father’s Ashes in Bowling Ball, Rolls Perfect Game

John Hinkle helped Western Illinois University's bowling team win an Intercollegiate Bowling championship in 2002.

He's rolled so many 300 games that he's lost count, but nothing like the one he rolled last week.

“I had tears in my eyes in the 11th and 12th frames. I couldn’t tell you where that last ball went, I had so many tears just throwing it,” Hinkle said.

This 300 came on his regular league night at Landmark Lanes on April 12th, but it was his first time using a completely unique ball.

Hinkle is a two handed bowler, but legally he can't have three holes in the ball, so he filled the thumb hole by putting his father's ashes in it.

His dad introduced Hinkle and his brother to the sport when they were little. The two brothers went on to bowl on the same teams for years.

“I was talking to my brother and told him, ‘I’m shooting a 300 with this ball,” Hinkle told WMBD. “And Joe said, do it!”

John Hinkle Sr. died in 2016 and his son said he wanted to somehow get his ashes worked into a bowling ball. The issue came with finding someone who would do it for him.

“This makes up for so many nights growing up when we slept in a bowing alley while our parents were finishing league night,” Joe Hinkle said with a laugh.

The brothers think this 300 game is an big deal for their family, and both believe their dad was present that night.

“It’s special. Dad shot 298, 299, never had a 300. I had goosebumps, chills,” John Hinkle said. “He was there. This is the best (300 game), and definitely the hardest. I was shaking.”

Read more at WMBD

Get our free mobile app