Merl A. Tinkey

Merl A. Tinkey, 91, of Akron, Indiana passed at 1:15 am, Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester, Indiana. Merl was born on July 23, 1934 in Claypool, Indiana to the late Clarence L. and Cleo A. (Jones) Tinkey. He was a 1952 graduate of Burket High School. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956. He married Linda Youndt Spolski on November 8, 1980, in Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania, and she survives. Merl spent his career with Sonoco Products Company of Akron, serving as the Business Unit Manager for North America. He retired after 40 years of dedicated service. Merl was a longtime member of the Akron United Methodist Church, where he served for many years on the board and as trustee chairman. He was also an active member of the Akron Lions Club and was honored with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. His commitment to community extended further through his service on the Woodlawn Hospital Board, the Fulton County Community Foundation, and the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation. He loved to travel, and Italy held a special place in his heart. After retiring, he spent five months in Australia working for Sonoco. Merl enjoyed fishing, hunting, and even found joy in mowing numerous lawns, which he did 3 days a week. He took great pride in looking after Dave’s car washes—often checking on them multiple times a day. He could be found in Mentone checking on the car wash and stopping in to get a latte at Java Jacks. One of his first retirement projects was digging a large pond and stocking it with fish. He was also a lifelong Notre Dame football fan. He is survived by his wife Linda Tinkey of Akron; sons Brett and wife Lori Tinkey of St. Joesph, Michigan and David and wife Paula Spolski of Claypool; daughter Lichelle and husband Jeff Moyer of Harrisburg, PA; 6 Grandchildren; and a Great Grandson. Merl was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Peggy and husband Garwin Eaton and Shirley and husband Larry Polk; and brothers Richard John”Dickie” Tinkey and Norman and wife Rozella Tinkey. Friends and family may gather for memorial visitation from 9:30 am to 11 am, Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Akron United Methodist Church, Akron, Indiana. A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Akron United Methodist Church 121 North Mishawaka Street Akron, Indiana with Pastor Eric Shafer officiating. Military honors will be held to remember his service to our country. His future final remembrance place will be in the Akron Cemetery, Akron, Indiana. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Akron United Methodist Church, Beaver Dam Church - memo to Wheels on Fire to assist the community members who are fighting cancer, or Akron Lions Club.

Merl A. Tinkey

July 23, 1934 - March 22, 2026