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B. Thomas Tinkel

B. Thomas Tinkel, 77, of Bluffton, IN, and having ties to Huntington, IN, died Wednesday, Aug 20, 2014, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Mr. Tinkel retired as director of the Huntington/Whitley County special education program. He had taught in Huntington, Montpelier and Bluffton schools, also serving as a counselor and a basketball, baseball and golf coach in Bluffton. He also worked as a high school football official.

He started the special education program in the North Adams Community Schools, where he worked for 11 years. He had also worked for 20 years at the Crossroads Children's Home, in Fort Wayne, where he was director of education. He was active in the Indiana Special Education Association, a member and former president of the Parlor City Country Club and a member of Liberty Center Baptist Church.

He graduated from Liberty Center High School in 1955 and earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Purdue University in 1959. He obtained his master's degree in education and counseling and a certificate of psychometry from Ball State University.

He was born May 7, 1937, in Bluffton to Dale D. and Mary E. Brown Tinkel.

Survivors include two sons, Scott (Janet) Tinkel, of New Hope, PA, and Larson (Amy) Maniford, of Middlebury; two daughters, Julie Bennett, of Fort Wayne, and Amy (James) Atkinson, of Phoenix, AZ; a sister, Sarah Huffman, of Liberty Center; and six grandchildren, Madison Lynn Tinkel, Spencer Thomas Tinkel, Jackson Phillip Bennett, Ashlynn Grace Bennett, Brekken Thomas Maniford and Asher Jett Maniford.

A service will be held on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., with calling one hour prior to the service, at Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home, 308 W. Washington St., Bluffton. Rev. Aaron Westfall will officiate. Additional calling is on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Riley Hospital for Children, both in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.thomarich.com.