Joan Chambers Tinch

Joan was born on July 31, 1930, in St. Louis to Paul and Mae (Mullinax) Chambers. On August 8, 1949, Joan married Phillip Tinch. They made their home in Decatur and shared many wonderful years together until Phillip’s passing in 2003.

Joan pursued a lifelong dedication to education. She attended Millikin University and later earned a Master’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University. Her teaching career was spent shaping young minds as a third-grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson and Enterprise Schools in Decatur.

Joan was an avid bridge player and treasured the friendships she built through the game while earning her Bridge Life Master. She enjoyed swimming in her pool, reading books, watching Jeopardy, and going to movies. She took 30 plus trips overseas and treasured the memories in photo books. She never stopped learning or encouraging others to learn something new. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Decatur.

She is survived by her two children, Patricia Bennett of Vista, CA and Michael (Kristen) Tinch of Springfield; four grandchildren, Christopher (Jessica) Hopkins, Bethany (Ben) Kelley, Jesse (Katrina) Tinch, and Allison Tinch; eight great-grandchildren; Cole, Christian and Jackson Hopkins, Gregory, Luke, Annie and Josphine Kelley and Kaia Tinch, her sister, Paula Baker; and several nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother-in-law, Bing Baker.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on February 3, 2026, at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road in Springfield. A memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m., with burial at Camp Butler National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Millikin University in Decatur, IL, honoring Joan's lifelong commitment to education.