Nancy Buffone Hinkle

Nancy Buffone Hinkle, 86, of Lapel, passed away suddenly on October 30, 2025 after an extended illness.

She was born on December 10, 1938, in Brockway, Pennsylvania to Leona (Murray) and Anthony Buffone. She moved to Lapel at age 12 and lived there her entire life. She graduated from Lapel High School in 1956.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 41 years, Herschel Hinkle. She has three daughters and two sons with Ronald Husted, Cynthia Husted (Richard Ennis), Ronald Carl Husted, Chris Husted, (Julie), Kelly Champney (Rick), and Amy Banter (Eric). She has one brother, Tony (Shirley) Buffone. She has six grandchildren, Dustin Husted, Cody (Olivia) Husted, Lucas Banter (Elaine), Jacob Banter, Lucy Banter, and Parker Champney, two step-grandchildren, Kelsey Champney and Mathew Ennis, and one great-grandchild, Wilson Husted. Nancy had an Italian heritage and love of family. No one was a stranger in her home, including at the holidays, and she was a surrogate mother to many.

She was preceded in death by her son, Ronald Carl Husted, and her parents.

Nancy worked as a head teller at American Federal Savings and Loan and also for Roger Boyd at Ag-One to help with their operations.

Nancy had a strong sense of civic duty and was a founding member of the Lapel Community Association and worked with them for 40 years. Her work was key in implementing the Lapel Village Fair, helping to beautify Lapel with flowers along main street, trash bins on main street, a bench at the post office, veteran's gazebo in town, Angel Tree, and donations to the Food Bank, Bulldog Backers, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Fire Department, and Police Department. Nancy loved living in Lapel and sitting on her porch swing. Her door was always open to others and people would arrive spontaneously to visit, truly a community embrace.

Nancy had a strong love of reading and helped start a book club in Lapel over 20 years ago that continues to this day. She also encouraged reading to her children and grandchildren and was a constant learner.

She was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Noblesville.

Beyond her community interests, Nancy was known for her compassion, sense of humor, and youthful energy and spirit. She loved to laugh and help others. Nobody was a stranger to Nancy.

A mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Noblesville, with Rev. Andrew Morand officating.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, November 5, 2025 at Bozell Funeral Homes and Crematory, Lapel Chapel, 1010 N. Main St. Lapel, Indiana 46051.

Burial will take place at Brookside Cemetery, Lapel, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lapel Community Association, P.O. Box 834
Lapel, Indiana 46051 or a Lapel organization of your choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.bozellfuneralhomes.com.