Clair E. Tinkey

Clair E. Tinkey, 90, of Mt. Pleasant Township, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. He was born May 2, 1927, in Mt. Pleasant, a son of the late Alva and Minnie E. (Kalp) Tinkey. Prior to retirement, he worked for General Tire and Rubber Co., Jeannette, and also operated Clair's Mower Repair for 35 years. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Trauger, where he served on the church consistory and as custodian, mentor of confirmation students and member of the church choir for 82 years. He was a 32nd-degree member of the Masonic Temple, Pittsburgh. Clair's most favored possessions were his 1953 Chevy truck and "Old Yeller" Cub Cadet tractor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Christopher R. Tinkey; a great-granddaughter, Janelle Gearhart; two sons-in-law, Duane Baird and Elder "Rip" Ripper; his brother, Raymond Tinkey; and his sister, Pearl Hicks. He is survived by his wife, Edith F. (Bollinger) Tinkey; five children, Linda Ripper, of Norvelt, Gail Stairs and husband Roger, of Florida, Calvin Tinkey and wife Patience, of Florida, Kenneth Tinkey and wife Janet, of Arizona, and Marcia Ruszkowski and husband Michael, of Kentucky; five grandchildren, Jennifer Lewis and husband Kris, of Mt. Pleasant, Lorrie Hamilton and husband Daniel, of Washington state, Ashley Barraclough and husband Aaron, of New York, Nicole Iyer and husband (Hridaya) and Michael Tinkey. all of Arizona; seven great-grandchildren, Jillian, Jayden, Jordon, Michael, Kassidy, Maya and Anand; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 2072 Route 130, Pleasant Unity. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Paul United Church of Christ with the Rev. Daniel E. Baker officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paul Reformed Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant Township. www.bachafh.com.

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