On the morning of April 19, 2019, Glen Tinker passed away with family at his side.
Glen M. Tinker was born on October 14, 1926 in Williamsville, MO to Clarence and Vera (Maddux) Tinker. He graduated from high school in Popular Bluff, MO in 1944. In the fall of that year he enlisted in the US Navy and served with the Seabees, who were important to the efforts of WWII, as they built the remote runways for the Air Force in Guam. After 2 years in the Navy, Glen returned to St. Louis and had many jobs as a young man. His philosophy was to learn all he could. He always bought a new pair of shoes at the start of a new job and when the shoes wore out, he moved on to his next job. He relocated to Michigan in 1948 and went to work for Clark Equipment in Berrien Springs, where he met Lillian Machacek. In 1950, they were married at the Zion United Church of Christ in Baroda.
Glen and Lillian resided in Berrien Springs and started their family. In 1961 the family moved to Rensselaer, IN, as Glen was partner and general manager for Roland D. Reed, a manufacturing company. The family prospered and ultimately the business was sold. In the spring of 1966, the family moved back to the Berrien Springs area and purchased the Schmall Farm on Shawnee Road.
Life on the farm was busy, planting and harvesting field crops, tending a cherry orchard as well as raising livestock, all while holding full time employment in the Engineering Lab at Clark Equipment. Glen wanted the farm to be successful and strived each year to improve it. He installed his own grain dryer system, and transported the dried grain to the Grain Mercantile in Chicago. Glen took early retirement from Clark Equipment and opened his own Welding and Machine Shop on the farm and operated it successfully for 20 years.
During 66 years of marriage, Glen and Lillian raised four children; Michael Tinker (Julie Bush)of Mattawan, Gail (David) Stiemsma of Portage, Joseph Tinker (Barb Christy) of Buchanan, and James Tinker (Janna Zehm) of Berrien Springs. Glen was blessed with 9 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place, private graveside service will be held. On May 25, 2019, friends of Glen Tinker and his family will gather at the Baroda Legion at 1:00 pm, to share a meal and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to THE BARODA LEGION or HOSPICE AT HOME or the charity of your choice. Those wishing to sign Glen’s memory book online may do so at http://www.hovenfunerals.com.
Posted On: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 2:50 PM
