Theodore "Ted" E Tinkham

Theodore E. "Ted" Tinkham, age 81, of Cameron, Illinois; passed away at 6:33 pm at Galesburg Cottage Hospital on Monday February 27, 2012. Ted was born on November 10, 1930 near Cameron, Illinois. the son of Lester & Amy Hoyer Tinkham. Ted was raised in Cameron and attended Stringtown rural grade school, Galesburg Senior High School graduating in 1948, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University at Ames, in Animal Science. During college he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, an agriculture fraternity. In 1952 he was a member of the Universities Livestock Judging Team that competed at the Southwestern Livestock Exhibition in Fort Worth, Texas. Ted married Dora Lee "Dorrie" Rider on November 14, 1954 in Mendota, Illinois. In 1961, he was chosen as the State of Illinois "Outstanding Young Farmer" for that year. Ted has served the Village of Cameron as town clerk, was active as a leader in 4-H, and has served as board member and president of Starting Point in Monmouth. He has been an Elder and Trustee in his church and is currently a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg, IL. He held an Extra Class Amateur Radio License with call letters of K9OST. Ted and Dorrie have always wanted their home in Cameron to be a safe haven for those in need, some staying for days, and some staying for months; including many summer children from the St.Louis Christian Home and the adoption of five children. Ted's hobbies included non-fiction books, photography, traveling, and meeting new friends. Surviving is Ted's wife Dora Lee "Dorrie" Tinkham of Cameron, three sons Tyrone Tinkham of Clinton, IL, Tracey Tinkham of Sanford, FL, and Timothy Tinkham of Monmouth, Illinois. Five grandchildren, Nicolas "Nico" Guzman of Cameron, Christopher and Matthew Tinkham, both of Peoria, IL Timothy Tinkham of Salem, Oregon, and Janessa Tinkham of Champaign, Illinois. One great grandson Jakob Tinkham of Peoria also is surviving. There are two sisters surviving Mary Louise (Jay) Cowguill of Packwood, Iowa and Alyce (Everett) Brown of Oneida, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents, one son Todd, one daughter Laura, two grandsons Theodore "Teddy" Tinkham and Jason Tinkham, one sister, Virginia Reikse, and foster son Dick Davis. Services:A memorial service to celebrate the lives of both Ted Tinkham and his daughter, Laura Tinkham who passed away on January 13th, 2012, will be on Saturday March 3, 2012 at Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg, Illinois at 11:00 am. Cremation has been accorded. There will be no visitation prior. Fellowship will follow the service at the church with interment of their ashes at Silent Home Cemetery. Memorial funds are established for either "Starting Point" of Monmouth, or the Galesburg Rescue Mission.