Vivian M. Tinkham

Vivian Mae Tinkham, 102, died Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the Washington County Hospital in Washington. A funeral service was 2 p.m., Monday, February 15, 2016 at the United Methodist Church, Washington. Pastor Randy Jellison-Knock officiated. The congregation sang "My God and I" and "Just As I Am." Recordings of "In the Garden" and "Amazing Grace" by Dr. Jim Smart were played. Pallbearers were Steve Peters, Ian Peters, Leigh Tinkham, Rick Wilson, Blake Wilson and Bryan Rickard. Honorary pallbearers were F.M. Beam, Travis Kier, Jim Kier and Ric Johnson. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Vivian was born to Arthur and Edith (Selmer) Taylor on December 9, 1913 on the family farm near Morrowville, KS. She was baptized at the Morrowville Methodist Church and later became a lifelong member of the Washington United Methodist Church. She graduated from Washington High School in 1932. On November 9, 1935, she married Floyd (Bob) Tinkham in the Methodist parsonage in Washington. Vivian was a telephone operator for several years and a cashier at the J.C. Penney store in Washington. Then for fourteen years, she was a secretary the Washington Grade School, for Blaine Wells, until retiring in May of 1979. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Floyd in 1980; and brother, Hubert “Buss” Taylor. Survivors include her children, Susan (Duane) Peters, Scandia, Dennis Tinkham, Bella Vista, AR; five grandchildren, Amy (Bryan) Rickard, Scandia, Steve (Lora) Peters, Belleville, Kimberly (Rick) Wilson, Wichita, Leigh (Lori) Tinkham, Wichita, and Angela Hartwell, Wichita; brother James (Sally) Taylor, Lawrence; twelve great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. A memorial fund is established to the United Methodist Church or the Washington County Hospital. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, 115 West 2nd Street, Washington, KS 66968. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vivian M. Tinkham, please visit our flower store.