Anita E. Tinkey

Anita E. Tinkey, 90, of Dowagiac, passed away on Monday, February 11, 2019, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019, at 11 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 603 McCleary St., Dowagiac, MI, with Pastor James Bartz officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may visit the family from 10 AM until the time of the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com. Anita was born on August 5, 1928, in St. Joseph, to Adolf & Emily (Redman) Schur. On April 26 she married the love of her life, Bill W. Tinkey. The two were happily married for over 50 years until his passing in 1998. For many years, Anita worked as a switchboard operator at the local telephone company. When Bill & Anita decided to start growing their family, she left her job and discovered her true passion as being a caring wife and mother of five. Anita loved taking trips up north with Bill, where he would enjoy fishing and she would enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. In her later years, she joined the Walking Club at SMC, playing BINGO at the Senior Center and attending as many family activities as she could. She was also a proud lifelong parishioner of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Never knowing a stranger, Anita always found the best in everyone. Her incredible personality and sense of humor always had a smile on everyone’s face. Anita will truly be missed by all who knew her. The Tinkey Family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo for their care and support; in one word, you are “Amazing!” Anita is survived by her children, Larry (Mary) Tinkey, Tom (Renee) Tinkey, Nancy (Prent) Dollins, and Patty (Tim) Richter; grandchildren, Gavin, Cody, Amanda, Travis, McKenna, Sean, and Shanna; and eight great-grandchildren. Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; parents, Adolf and Emily; son, Douglas Tinkey; and five siblings.