GREENWOOD, IN.
Phillip “Phil” E Tinkle, 83, of Greenwood, IN passed away Saturday March 2, 2024, at Community Hospital South. He was born May 13,1940 in Beech Grove, IN to Harold Samuel “Sam” Tinkle Sr. and Arvetta Lorene (Kinnick) Tinkle.
He was a 1958 graduate of Center Grove High School. Phil was a First Sergeant in the National Guard from 1956 – March 1963, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion 38th Infantry Division 5th Army Reserves, meteorological section based out of the Southside Armory in Indianapolis, IN. He was in the dairy business from 1961 – 1996 working for Guy McFarland and Sons Golden Guernsey Dairy Farms in Southport, IN and Johnson’s Dairy in Bloomington, IN. He was in the Real Estate industry in Greenwood, IN from 1988 – 2008. He proudly served the citizens of Greenwood, IN from 1996 – 2019 when he joined the Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission and Greenwood Advisory Board of Zoning Appeals. During that time, he was Vice President (1997-2003, 2005-2019) and President (2004) of Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission and as Chairman (2001-2019) of the Greenwood Advisory Board of Zoning Appeals. He worked for Community Hospital South at the Cancer Center in Valet from 2011 – 2023. He was a member of Mount Auburn Church of Greenwood, IN and former member of Greenwood United Methodist Church of Greenwood, IN. He enjoyed his life on the family farm by the many stories he would tell, had a love for International Harvester – Farmall tractors and former member of Johnson County Antique Machinery Association, was an avid reader and enjoyed the newspaper puzzles, loved Gaither music and watching sports, was a mentor to many, loved his Community and strived to make Greenwood, IN a flourishing city through his Real Estate and City of Greenwood work. After retiring twice, he found his Valet work at Community South Cancer Center to be his final ministry where he taught “Kindness Begets Kindness”. Friends and Family were especially important to him and during his final few days he expressed to us how much he loved us, reminding us of the importance of friendship, family, and the legacy we are to carry on. Some of his last few words were, “A man knows he’s had a good life if he can look back and say I left the wood pile bigger.”
Survivors include his children Mark Tinkle of Indianapolis, Chris Tinkle of Indianapolis and Eric Tinkle (Mary) of Indianapolis, Julie Riley of Bloomington, Brad Tinkle (Laurren) of Speedway, Kevin Tinkle (Crystal) of Whiteland, Keith Tinkle (Michelle) of Whiteland, Christina Grindle (Jeremy) of Greenwood; granddaughters Richelle Pitcher (Jeff), Andrea Buckley, Allie Darr; grandsons Derek Riley (Alex), Austen Stigman, Dean Tinkle, Dylan Riley (Kiarra), Sam Tinkle, Zachary Tinkle, Nathan Tinkle, Ethan Edwards; 8 great grandchildren; sisters Priscilla Daschiell (Bob-deceased) of Greenwood, Peggy Harold (Bob) of Greenwood, Pam Harold (Dave) of Greenwood, Portia Hughes (Larry) of Bargersville, Patricia Jones (Bruce) of Franklin, Paulette Lott (Jack) of Whiteland; brothers Perry Tinkle (Suzie) of Greenwood, Sam Tinkle Jr (Nancy) of Bargersville, Preston Tinkle of Franklin, Parvin (Julie) Tinkle of Franklin, Presley Tinkle (Julia) of Franklin; sister-n-law Wilma D Tinkle of Bargersville; 35 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marian Elaine (Merideth) Tinkle on September 5, 2015, his father Harold Samuel Tinkle Sr. on June 18, 2020, his mother Arvetta Lorene (Kinnick) Tinkle on January 16, 1981, brothers Paul E. Tinkle on July 5, 2014, Patrick E Tinkle on April 28, 2022 and Pete E. Tinkle on May 30, 2022, a sister Penny E. Tinkle on June 24, 1972, a niece Tracie A. Miller November 2, 1974, a nephew David W Harold II July 6, 2021 and sister-n-law’s Sandy O. (Day) Tinkle on September 17, 2009 and Francis (Smithey) Tinkle on October 20, 2022.
Friends may call Friday March 8, 2024, from 4pm until 8pm and on Saturday March 9, 2024, at 10am until service time at Greenwood United Methodist Church 525 N Madison Ave in Greenwood, IN. Pastor Joshua Lemons, Pastor B. Frank Ciampa, and Chaplain Christopher Randolph will conduct a service on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 11am Greenwood United Methodist Church 525 N Madison Ave in Greenwood, IN and will be live streamed at greenwood united methodist church – YouTube. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Greenwood, IN. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association or The Shepherd’s Table at Greenwood United Methodist Church 525 N Madison Ave in Greenwood, IN 46142. Swartz Family Church and Chapel – Funeral and Cremation Services in Greenwood is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
