Jerry Lee Tinkey
March 20, 2025 at 7:27 p.m.
AKRON – Jerry Lee Tinkey, 89, of rural Warsaw, passed from this life at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2025, surrounded by family at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester.
Jerry Tinkey was born on July 28, 1935, in Warsaw, to Noah and Ina Gearhart Tinkey. He graduated from Mentone High School and married Sandra Waite on Oct. 14, 1956, at Center Church in Silver Lake; she survives him.
In his early career, Jerry worked as a mechanic for Oliver Equipment in Warsaw. He later co-owned and operated Tinkey Farms alongside his brother, Bill, and their mother, focusing on poultry and grain farming. After selling the farm in 1988, Jerry transitioned to selling cars at Kerlins and eventually joined Kuert Concrete, where he retired as the plant manager.
Jerry was a dedicated father who instilled the value of hard work in his children, teaching them through tasks like gathering eggs, baling hay and handling other farm duties. He was a former member of the Atwood Lions Club and Trinity United Methodist Church in Warsaw. In his free time, Jerry enjoyed tractor pulling, golfing, racing at Warsaw Speedway, painting cars, and fishing. He and Sandra shared countless adventures riding their Goldwing motorcycle across the U.S. and even into Canada with their friends, the Yieters.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandra Tinkey, of Warsaw; children: Renee and husband Doug Caudill, of Silver Lake; Amey and husband Chris Parker, of Silver Lake; Beth and husband Shaun Miller, of Claypool; and Jon Tinkey and Jenny Shumaker, of Claypool; grandchildren: Scott, Andy, Alan, JayDee, Carissa, Ross, Alex, Addy, Kaleigh and Owen; great-grandchildren: Ethan, Ian, Calvin, Collyns, Jack, Carson, Mick, Alayna, Mason; a sister, Beverly “Butch” Hoffer, of Warsaw.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Max, Dorothy, Bill and Marilyn.
A private graveside service will be held in the Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake.
The arrangements have been entrusted to Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron.
Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Paradigm Health Hospice & Palliative Care, 10020 Lima Road Suite D, Fort Wayne, IN 46818; or to the animal shelter of the donor’s choosing.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
AKRON – Jerry Lee Tinkey, 89, of rural Warsaw, passed from this life at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2025, surrounded by family at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester.
Jerry Tinkey was born on July 28, 1935, in Warsaw, to Noah and Ina Gearhart Tinkey. He graduated from Mentone High School and married Sandra Waite on Oct. 14, 1956, at Center Church in Silver Lake; she survives him.
In his early career, Jerry worked as a mechanic for Oliver Equipment in Warsaw. He later co-owned and operated Tinkey Farms alongside his brother, Bill, and their mother, focusing on poultry and grain farming. After selling the farm in 1988, Jerry transitioned to selling cars at Kerlins and eventually joined Kuert Concrete, where he retired as the plant manager.
Jerry was a dedicated father who instilled the value of hard work in his children, teaching them through tasks like gathering eggs, baling hay and handling other farm duties. He was a former member of the Atwood Lions Club and Trinity United Methodist Church in Warsaw. In his free time, Jerry enjoyed tractor pulling, golfing, racing at Warsaw Speedway, painting cars, and fishing. He and Sandra shared countless adventures riding their Goldwing motorcycle across the U.S. and even into Canada with their friends, the Yieters.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandra Tinkey, of Warsaw; children: Renee and husband Doug Caudill, of Silver Lake; Amey and husband Chris Parker, of Silver Lake; Beth and husband Shaun Miller, of Claypool; and Jon Tinkey and Jenny Shumaker, of Claypool; grandchildren: Scott, Andy, Alan, JayDee, Carissa, Ross, Alex, Addy, Kaleigh and Owen; great-grandchildren: Ethan, Ian, Calvin, Collyns, Jack, Carson, Mick, Alayna, Mason; a sister, Beverly “Butch” Hoffer, of Warsaw.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Max, Dorothy, Bill and Marilyn.
A private graveside service will be held in the Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake.
The arrangements have been entrusted to Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron.
Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Paradigm Health Hospice & Palliative Care, 10020 Lima Road Suite D, Fort Wayne, IN 46818; or to the animal shelter of the donor’s choosing.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.