Michael R. Tinkle, 64, of Montezuma, IA passed away on July 27, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

A Funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. A graveside service will be held at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Malcom. Following the graveside service a luncheon will be provided at the Malcom Auditorium.

Memorials may be made payable to PALS (Poweshiek Animal League Shelter), mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Michael was born on December 2, 1960, in Grinnell, IA to Verlan Robert and Iva Arlene (Tish) Tinkle. He was raised in the Malcom area and went to school in Grinnell. He graduated with the Grinnell High School Class of 1979. Throughout his school years he worked at Larry Sear's dairy farm. Following high school, he worked as an AI tech in the cattle industry for 4 years. He worked for a short time at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance before getting a job with the USDA. He worked as a program tech for the Dept of Agriculture for over 30 years.

In January of 2011, Michael was united in marriage to Mitch Gill at the Grinnell United Church of Christ Congregational.

Michael enjoyed owning horses, horseback trail riding, camping, traveling, dining out and visiting friends. He cherished his two dogs, Josie and Jerry. He was a member of the Grinnell United Church of Christ Congregational.

Michael is survived by his siblings; Steven Tinkle of Malcom, IA, Gloria Shawler of Marshalltown, IA, and Lyle (Debany Qualls) Tinkle of Vinton, IA; his nephew, Stan (Ashley) Shawler and their children Ivy, Sydney, and Emma of Grinnell, IA; his nieces, Sarah Perry and her children Jordan, Kaleb, Alexis, and Letitia of Marshalltown, IA, and Mica (Ryan) Hall and their son Eb, of Ames, IA.

He is preceded by his parents, Verlan and Iva, his grandparents, spouse, Mitch Gill, and sister-in-law, Sara Redenis.