Vernon "Vern" Delbert Tinker

Vernon “Vern” Delbert Tinker of Cedar Hill, Missouri passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2025 in his home at the age of 84 years, 5 months and 16 days. He was born at Viburnum, Missouri to Woodrow Tinker and Georgia Payne Tinker on July 1, 1941.

Vern served his country honorably in the U. S. Marines from 1958-1961. After the military, he became an over the road truck driver and later hauling gas, retiring after 30 years. In November of 1976, he was united in marriage to Bernadette Ann Dougherty.

Vern spent many hours on his motorcycle through the years, spending weekends at his Viburnum farm with his grandchildren, and enjoying fellowship at church with his friends. He became a Christian in 1979 and was a faithful 20-year member of Messenger Church in Fenton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Georgia Tinker; two brothers, Dwight and David Tinker, sister, Doris Cottrell and brothers-in-law, Billy Gillam and Tim Miner.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Bernadette Tinker; sons, Bryce (Chera) Tinker of Imperial, MO, Brent (Casey) Tinker and Birk (Christy) Tinker all of Arnold, MO, Brad Tinker of Steelville, MO and Bryan (Jennifer) Tinker of Collierville, TN; daughters, Rebecca (Andrew) Garner of Imperial, MO and Angeline (Eric) Schlee of Pacific, MO; brother, Daniel Tinker of Viburnum, MO; sisters, Donna (Phil) Metcalf and Debbie Gillam all of Davisville, MO and Dianne Miner of  Viburnum, MO; brother-in-law, Jerry Cottrell of Davisville, MO; grandchildren, Marlie Tinker, Nolan Tinker, Caden Tinker, Samuel Tinker, Lyla Tinker, Mason Tinker, Sullivan Tinker, Violet Tinker, Jackson Tinker, Gabriel Tinker, Adam Tinker, Fallon Garner, Wesley Garner, Caleb Schlee and Hannah Schlee; other relatives; and many friends.

The Family received friends from 11:00 A.M. until time of service on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 20, 2025 with Rev. John Rhodes officiating. Special music of "Everybody Will Be Happy", "I Speak Jesus" and "Goodness of God" was sung and played on guitar by Troy Wood.

Committal prayer and interment with full military honors were in the Sellers Cemetery, Davisville, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were Nolan Tinker, Caden Tinker, Mason Tinker, Sullivan Tinker, Samuel Tinker, Wesley Garner, Andrew Garner and Eric Schlee.

The Tinker Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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