I just today learned of John’s death.   My husband served as his pastor for a time.   My parents knew members of his mother’s family.   John always had a bit of news about friends we had in common.   May he rest well.

From the Koch family.  We knew John in the late 80s and early 90s when he lived on 400N by the bridge some named after him.  As kids, my brothers and I would go to river at the bridge and kill time and run into him there frequently.  I had heard he wasn't doing well some time ago but just heard recently, about 6 weeks after he had passed.   Condolences to any surviving relatives he has.   John was a unique guy and known to a lot of people in Columbus over his years on earth.  May he rest in peace.  
Andrew

John was a good man and a good Republican.

I knew John through my dad Don Everrroad. John was always a great and caring guy. He was one of a kind.

I knew John for over 65 years and he always had a memory to share with me. Since we both graduated in 1970 we spent many years together in school. I grew up not too far from John and remembered the school bus picking him up. I also visited the river a lot and would go by John’s house and field they owned around the river. Many memories from years ago and John always showed me kindness during our conversations. I visited John a few days before he passed and mentioned many of the special days from long ago. John squeezed my hand and and said yes to  my comments. John was a unique person that will never be duplicated. 
My prayer is John has gone to heaven and will never have to suffer again with all the ailments he endured over the years. 
Rest in peace my friend.
John Sohn

I have known John for 3 decades. In my last office job across from where he lived on Washington street he'd come into my office and just sit there and talked about everything. He was the best and most decent person I've ever met in Columbus. I will miss him.
Rick Reed

Sorry to hear this.  Johnny was a good guy. Prayers

John was our friend for many years. I could count on a call from John most days. He didn't talk long but was just checking in. The calls starting getting less and sadly stopped. He will be greatly missed by me. May you rest in God's peace John Tinkey.

He was my neighbor growing up. He was a very peaceful and great person. Will be missed by many.

I often saw John walking around downtown Columbus when I worked downtown.  He wrote many letters to the Editor of The Republic, and I admired him for never being afraid to speak his mind publicly.  May he rest in peace.

I met John when he was a child growing up in Hope. I became acquainted with him again and developed a long friendship when I return to Columbus in 1998 to be publisher of The Republic newspaper. When he heard I was returning to Bartholomew County he wrote me a letter welcome me back and making some suggestions on how I might improve the newspaper. During my time as publisher, hardly a week went by when he didn’t call me with a news tip of some sort. And we often met for lunch. When anyone asked him about himself, he would say “I am a Christian, a Republican and a farmer.“  I admired him for the way he smilingly wore his uniqueness and — in spite of hardships — displayed a self-confidence that was unmatched.

John and I were classmates for many years at Hope, IN, as a part of the Flatrock/Hawcreek School Corporation.  My memories of John  that I wish to share are that he always was very friendly, and he always had a BIG smile on his face!  He will be missed by many other of his Hope, IN, classmates, as well as by me.
Sincerely, Janie Blackburn Norberg

My husband Bill Steinker knew John as a little boy and all the years inbetween.Bill farmed the Tinkey land.  We know thaat he has been in bad health for the last several years, and now, he is free of all those problems.  The history of the Steinkers and the Tinkeys goes back for 80 years,  Hopefully, he as at peace.     LuAnne and Bill Steinker

Many fond memories of John during our Rural Youth days and time spent at Bartholomew County Fairs.

OBITUARY

John Tinkey

October 29, 1950 – May 17, 2026

Myers-Reed Chapel

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