Maria Tinkham

Maria Tinkham, age 97, a longtime resident of Gary, Indiana’s Black Oak neighborhood since 1950, passed away on March 7, 2026. Born in Puebla, Mexico, to Gustavo and Maria Rascon, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in early education from Purdue University Calumet. She worked as a beautician and small business owner while cultivating a rich and varied life. An avid collector of crystals, devoted bird watcher, and passionate environmentalist, Maria found deep fulfillment in books, philosophy, the music of the Three Tenors, travel, history, and her Mexican heritage. She cherished Bible studies, late-night comedians, cheering for the 1990s Chicago Bulls, and remained active well into her 90s, regularly exercising at the Purdue University Calumet gym.

Above all, Maria was the beloved matriarch of her family, known for her wit, vibrant spirit, and unwavering devotion as a grandmother and great-grandmother. She embraced life with joy and curiosity, taking walks in nature and staying closely connected to the generations that followed her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles B. Tinkham; her sons, Joseph and Samuel Bernal; and her granddaughter, April Bernal. Maria is survived by her seven children: Gloria Shaver, Mark Anton Bernal, Oscar Bernal, Irma (Gustavo) Maldonado, Patricia B. Figueroa, Rene Alexander (Mary), and Veronica (Manuel) Sanchez; twenty-nine grandchildren, including Samuel Bernal, Oscar Bernal, Allan Bernal, Yolanda Bernal, Annette Santamaria, Michelle Andrade, Crystal Diane Watson, Maria Elena Pimental, Mark Bernal, Sean Bernal, Charles Bernal, Sabrina Bernal, Pablo Maldonado, Arrieana Postell, Paloma Mosqueda, Gustavo Maldonado, Sylvia LaBoy, Carlos P. Bernal, Elia Hoekstra, Cody Kleutsch, Aaron Bernal, Christian Bernal, Elena Bernal, Felicia Nelson, Seth Nelson, Matthew Nelson, Natasha Nelson, and Sophia Nelson; and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, as well as her beloved nieces and nephews: Lisa (Rick) Bursey, Valerie (Mark) Messer, Jesus Del Hierro, Lupe Del Hierro-Trujillo, Arturo Del Hierro, Melva Del Hierro, and Irma Del Hierro.