George R. "Tooter" Tinius

GEORGE R. "TOOTER" TINIUS, 93, died Saturday, March 23, 2013. The son of the late John F. and Mary (Ritz) Tinius, Tooter was born September 23, 1919 in New Albany, Indiana. Tooter fought for his country, always proud to have served in the military and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was wounded in World War II, but was never bitter. He once described the day he was wounded as “the luckiest day in my life”, because his life was spared. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans and the V.F.W. A person who created change in the lives of those he knew, Tooter was a founding member of Rauch, Inc. and continued his support of that agency and their mission to serve people with disabilities throughout his life. He taught by word and example that all people are created equal and deserve the same respect. He believed you could accomplish anything through hard work and dedication. For his hard work and dedication during his life, in 1968 he was given Indiana’s Distinguished Handicapped Person Award, in 1999 he received the Career Achievement Award for Celebrating Catholic School Values, the Rauch Board of Directors Recognition Award for the years 1994-2000, and in 2002 the Rauch Imagine Award. Tooter was a person who created change in the lives of those who knew him and he always spoke the truth. A lifetime member of the Providence High School Booster Club and member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Albany, Tooter loved God and lived accordingly. He was a teacher, gifted communicator, loved his crossword puzzles, fishing, feeding birds, sports of any kind, but most of all he loved his family. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Frederick, Bill, Frank, Paul and John Tinius; and sisters, Marie Braunbeck and Margaret Gunther.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Catherine “Tinny” Tinius; children, Sandy Braunbeck and her husband, Bob, Joe Tinius and his wife, Katy and Jim Tinius and his wife, Dana; grandchildren. Adam, Chris, Sara, Kelly, Casey, Chapel, Truman and Thomas; great grandchildren, Charlotte and Gavin; and sister, Rosie Block.

Visitation will be 3:00 pm ~ 8:00 pm Monday and after 8:00 am Tuesday at Kraft Funeral Service, 708 E. Spring Street, New Albany, Indiana. There will be a Rosary Service 6:30 PM Monday at the funeral home. His Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with burial and military honors in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Rauch, Inc.

Online condolences may be made to: www.kraftfuneralservice.net