Ina Mae Crecelius-Tinsley

Loving wife, mother, grandmother and wonderful friend to many, Ina Mae Crecelius-Tinsley passed away peacefully surrounded by her family September 14, 2010, following a stroke.

She was born July 29, 1931 to John and Madeline Keller of Grant, Nebraska. The family moved to Monrovia, Calif. in the mid 1940s, where Ina Mae graduated from Monrovia High School in 1949. In 1951, she married her sweetheart, Morris Crecelius, who taught school in the Ojai School District for over 38 years before he died in 1986. Together, they raised four children and went on many fishing and hunting adventures. In December 1993, Ina Mae married John Oscar Tinsley, of Ojai, and they spent 12 wonderful years together, traveling the world and taking care of their beloved dog, Ms. Pris.

Family was important. Ina Mae will be missed by her daughters and sons-in-law, Valerie and Steve Cubillas, and Cheryl and Ken Schroeder; sons, Duane Crecelius and John Crecelius; loving brother-in-law, Charles Crecelius, of Rough and Ready, Calif.; grandchildren, William Blake, of Bolivar, Missouri, and Greg Schroeder, Cary Schroeder and Curtis Schroeder, of Dixon, Calif.; and great-grandchildren, William, Andrea, and Tylor Blake, and Allie Schroeder.

Ina Mae led a busy and full life. She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 339, of Ventura, serving as president three times. She also belonged to the “8 and 40” Auxiliary Honor Society, and enjoyed service to her community and country. A highlight of her life was a year as Auxiliary Chaplain, striving to touch the lives of others. First and foremost she cared about her family; a close second was playing Bingo, especially when she won, and planning and taking cruises to foreign lands with second husband, John. She was a true “giver,” and always wanted to lend a hand to others. Her apple pies and smiling face will be missed.

A special thank you goes out to Cindy and Candy of Carrows in Ojai, where Ina Mae loved to have breakfast, and to the caring staff of the ICU and hospice at Ojai Valley Hospital.

Friends are invited to join the family 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at Carrows Restaurant, 211 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai, for a remembrance and light brunch. Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m., also Tuesday, at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Rd., Ventura, where the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 339 of Ventura will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to City of Hope Cancer Center, Gift Planning Department, P.O. Box 513477, Los Angeles, CA 90051-3477.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at www.TedMayrFuneralHome.com.