Miss Donna Jean Tinker, age 66, of Fairview, Indiana, entered this life on September 17, 1959 in Jefferson County, Indiana. She was the loving daughter of the late, Robert William “Bob” and Gladys Ruth (Branham) Tinker. Donna was raised in the close-knit Fairview community, where she spent her childhood and made many lifelong memories. She was a 1977 graduate of Switzerland County High School. During her high school years, Donna enjoyed music and was a member of both the school band and marching band, where she played the flute. Following high school, Donna pursued her calling to care for others through a career in nursing. She graduated from the Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in 1980. Donna valued education and continued to further her knowledge throughout her career. In 1999, she graduated from the College of Mount St. Joseph with her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She later attended Indiana Wesleyan University to attain her master’s. Donna devoted more than four decades of her life to the nursing profession, a career that was a natural reflection of her caring and compassionate heart. The greatest portion of her career was spent at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where she served as a registered nurse and clinical manager from July 1980 until November 2008. During her nearly three decades there, Donna’s desire to care for others continued throughout the years. She was employed as a registered nurse for Advantage Home Healthcare from August 2011 to January 2013 and also provided home health care through Maxim Home Healthcare from March 2012 to January 2013. From January 2013 to January 2014, Donna worked as a pediatric travel nurse with Truestaff Travel Nurses, continuing her lifelong passion for caring for children. Donna later found a new adventure in her profession when she became a travel registered nurse with Network and TNAA from 2014 until her retirement in 2020. Her assignments took her to Texas, Arizona, California, Tennessee, and Ohio. Wherever her assignment took her, Donna made the most of the experience. She loved venturing into different towns, sightseeing, discovering what made each place special, and, of course, finding a good restaurant along the way. Each assignment became more than simply another place to work; it was a new adventure and another opportunity for her to make memories while continuing the career she loved. Donna’s caring heart extended far beyond her nursing profession. Faith was an important and guiding part of her life. She was a lifelong former member of the Fairview United Methodist Church and was a faithful member of The Bridge of Hope Worship Center in Milan, Indiana. Donna had a true servant’s heart and found great joy in helping others through her church family. She enjoyed baking for Isaiah Ministries, helping with children’s church, and serving as a Sunday greeter. Those arriving for worship could count on being welcomed by Donna with her contagious smile. She had the biggest heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Donna’s generosity reached throughout her community and beyond. She supported many causes that were meaningful to her, including the American Heart Association, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, and Billie’s Painting with Purpose. Giving to others came naturally to Donna. She found fulfillment in doing what she could to make life a little better for someone else. Family was one of Donna’s greatest joys. She and her brother shared an incredibly close bond and were truly one another’s sidekicks. They were always there for each other, whether working in the yard, tending to the garden, going to doctor appointments, or simply helping with whatever needed to be done. Through all of life’s seasons, they knew they could depend upon one another. Their special brother-and-sister bond was one that Donna deeply treasured. Although Donna never had children of her own, she loved her nieces and nephews as if they were her own. She cherished spending quality time with them and took an active and loving role in their lives. Over the years, Donna spent many hours babysitting, caring for them, playing with them, and simply enjoying being together. Watching them grow and being a part of their lives brought her tremendous happiness, and each of them held a special place in Aunt Donna’s heart. Donna was also richly blessed with friendships that stood the test of time. Her forever best friends, Barb Lucas, Lorrie LaPenna, Mary Baker, Linda Polman, and Sue Guentter, each held a very special place in her heart. Donna deeply cherished their friendships and the countless memories, conversations, trips, and laughter they shared together through the years. Donna loved bringing people together through good food. She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially when preparing something for a family gathering. Among the many treats to come from her kitchen, she was especially known for her yummy homemade peanut brittle, which became a favorite with family and friends. Donna also enjoyed traveling and going on vacation, and her adventurous spirit continued long after her days as a travel nurse. She enjoyed settling in with a good book and loved attending Christian music concerts. Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham were among her favorite Christian artists, and their music held a special place in her heart. She enjoyed gardening and took great pleasure in the beauty of flowers. Lilies and Gerbera Daisies were among her favorites, and she especially loved the colors purple, teal, and burgundy. Donna also enjoyed cheering on her favorite sports teams and was an avid fan of Indiana University athletics, Cincinnati Bengals football, and the Cincinnati Reds. Donna had a special love for animals and treasured the companionship of her faithful dogs, Daisy and Lillie. Above all, Donna will be lovingly remembered for the size of her heart and the genuine kindness she extended to others. Caring for people was not simply Donna’s profession; it was a way of life. Donna’s life was filled with faith, compassion, service, adventure, laughter, friendship, and an abundance of love. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy in the countless lives she touched. Donna passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 31, 2026, at her residence.
Donna will be lovingly remembered by her brother, Donald Wayne “Butch” Tinker of Fairview, IN; her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins; and her sister-in-law, Betty “Sue” (Lyons) Tinker of Pleasant, IN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert William “Bob” and Gladys Ruth (Branham) Tinker; her infant brother, Tommy Lynn Tinker; her infant sister, Lou Ann Tinker; her brother, Robert Lee “Pee Wee” Tinker; her great-niece, Harper Cole; her great-nephew, Nolan Gray; and her cousins, Larry Tinker, Brenda (Tinker) Kendall, and Brian Tinker.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Funeral services and Columbus Regional Health Nursing Honor Guard Service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment will follow in the Vevay Cemetery, Vevay, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, American Heart Association, Billie’s Painting with Purpose Fund c/o Community Foundation of Switzerland County (CFSCI) or Harper Quinn Cole Memorial Foundation. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com