E. Geraldine "Gerry" Tinkham

E. Geraldine (Renner) Tinkham, age 98, of Kirkwood, Illinois, died peacefully in her sleep at 4:14 A.M. on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Monmouth Nursing Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Geraldine was born on November 18, 1919 at home near Delevan, Illinois. She was the first child of Warren and Maude (Duncanson) Renner. Geraldine attended a one-room school through 6th grade and graduated from Green Valley High School in 1936 as the salutatorian. at the age of 16, Geraldine entered the University of Illinois on a Home Economics Education scholarship. After graduation in 1940 she began teaching at Kirkwood High School. Geraldine also taught at Biggsville Grade School and spent time as a substitute teacher until her retirement from teaching in 1980. Geraldine married Roy D. Tinkham in her mother's home in Morton, Illinois on December 19, 1943. Roy farmed near Kirkwood, Illinois as their family grew and until his untimely death on June 5, 1975. Geraldine then became the farm manager and stayed involved with farming until her death. Geraldine was an active member of the Kirkwood United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for over 40 years. Geraldine accepted leadership roles in the United Methodist Woman on both the local and district levels for many years. She was also elected to leadership positions in the United Methodist Church on the district and conference levels for many years. In 1983 Geraldine traveled for 3 weeks to Africa on a mission trip sponsored by the Central Illinois United Methodist Conference. The group visited schools, hospitals, and missions in Senegal, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Upon her return, Geraldine spoke to groups in over 100 UM Churches about the schools, health conditions, and needs of those people living in the bush of Africa. While raising her family, Geraldine served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and a troop leader for the Girl Scouts. She supported her children's activities in 4-H, church, school plays, band, and sports. Survivors include her 6 children: son Ronald and wife Kathie (Boone) Tinkham of Kirkwood, IL; son George and wife Linda (Gillock) Tinkham of Springfield, IL; daughter Linda M. Tinkham of Portland, OR; daughter Patricia (Michael) MacIntosh of Watersmeet, Michigan; son Thomas and wife Linda (Patterson) Tinkham of Colleyville, TX; daughter Mary (Robert Kean) Tinkham of Minneapolis, MN; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Warren Renner and Virginia Renner, her husband Roy and their daughter Rebecca, who died at birth, and her great granddaughter, Molly MacIntosh. A funeral service for E. Geraldine Tinkham is planned for Saturday October 13, 2018 at 10:00 am at the Kirkwood United Methodist Church in Kirkwood, Illinois. Her family will be present for a visitation from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday evening at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois Interment will be in Center Grove Cemetery of Kirkwood, Illinois. In lieu of flowers memorials are be established for the Kirkwood United Methodist Church or the Kirkwood Senior Center. For more information, or to leave a remembrance, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.