Karl Hylen Jr.

Voluntown — Karl John “Tink” Hylen Jr. of Voluntown passed away Jan. 28 in Florida surrounded by family. Tink was born Nov. 11, 1951, in Key West, Fla., to Katherine (Ellison) Hylen and Karl Hylen Sr. In 1969, he joined the Army and served honorably for his country during the Vietnam War. He settled in Connecticut, where he worked and retired from Electric Boat Division in Groton. He enjoyed crabbing and fishing and was very devoted to his family and friends.

He is predeceased by his parents and three sisters, Pat, Carol and Dottie. He leaves behind his wife and soulmate, Sandra (Tedford) Hylen; two sons, Michael Hylen and his wife, Amber, and Kristopher Cousino, all of Arizona; two daughters, Rhonda Rudolph and her husband, John, of Missouri, and Tonya Perkins of Jewett City; two sisters, Margaret (Mickey) Smith of Florida and Kathleen Forman of Arkansas; two stepsons, Stephen Scott of Texas, and Michael Shetland and his wife, April, of Texas; stepdaughter, Amanda Destremps and her husband, Michael, of Danielson; his nephews, nieces, many grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. His nephews, Wayne “Chip” Mundell and Will Kerley were very special to him. He will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory to American Diabetes Association, 2275 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, or Soldiers, Sailors Marine Fund, 100 Broadway Room 307, Norwich, CT 06360, would be appreciated. There will be a celebration of his life (memorial) with military honors from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 23, 2019, at the VFW on Taylor Hill Road, Jewett City.