Belva Carleen (Rohrbough) Tinklenberg, 84, of Keokuk, Iowa, formerly of Portage, Michigan, passed away on Monday, December 12, 2022, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Belva was born on June 30, 1938, in Basco, Illinois, the daughter of Anthony Preston and Ida Arabella (Burnett) Rohrbough. On September 7, 1956, she was united in marriage to Charles “Chuck” Tinklenberg. After sixty-four years of marriage, he preceded her in death on April 13, 2021.
Belva graduated from Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1956, went on to work at National Gypsum and retired from Cato Group, LLC, both in Kalamazoo. She enjoyed spending her free time reading, croqueting, gambling, and flowers, and would have a glass of wine (or two) at the end of the day. She was known for her quick wit and infectious laugh, and her sense of humor was unmatched. She loved the small children in her family and loved to travel, visiting all fifty states. Belva also had a large collection of elephants.
Belva is survived by two brothers-in-law: Ryan Tinklenberg and Loren Tinklenberg, both of Kalamazoo; two sisters-in-law: Clarissa (Dick) Hanson of Richland, Michigan, and Barb Tinklenberg of Kalamazoo; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and family. She loved all of her nieces and nephews, young and old.
Belva is preceded in death by her husband Chuck; her son Kevin; five siblings: Ralph, Ted, Wayne, Maxine and Mary Lou; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be held at 6 pm on Friday, December 16, 2022, at Printy Funeral Home in Warsaw. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 5 to 6 pm directly before the service.
Memorials may be directed to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.
Printy Funeral Home of Warsaw is in charge of arrangements.
