Frances “Fran” Tinkham

PEORIA - Frances “Fran” Tinkham passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2024.

She was born in Galesburg, Illinois, on February 4, 1954, to Marilyn and Allan Smith.

In July of 1973, she married Tyrone Tinkham, and during this marriage they had 3 sons. She is survived by her 2 sons, Christopher Tinkham of Peoria Heights and Matthew Tinkham of Peoria; and one grandson, Jakob Tinkham of Peoria Heights. Also surviving are her siblings, Joyce (Joe) Glawe of Peoria, Allan (Virginia) Smith of Rock Port, Texas, and Richard (Chelsea) Smith of Bozman, Montana; as well as nieces and nephews and 3 great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Theodore “Ted” Tinkham.

Fran graduated from Galesburg High School in 1972 and furthered her education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, then later a Master’s Degree in Reading. She was a Special Education teacher and an inclusion teacher at various schools within Peoria Public School District. In 2017, she retired from teaching, yet became a regular substitute teacher, primarily working at Dr. Maude A. Sanders School in Peoria.

For many years, Fran was an active Board Member of the Peoria Children’s Theater. She worked behind the scenes during the productions and loved to be a part of this program. She supported Celebrate Recovery through Rock Church and believed in their cause. The Special Olympics was another program that she supported and hoped to one day be a volunteer.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Wright and Salmon Mortuary from 9 to 11 a.m. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Memorials may be made to Community Children’s Theater, Celebrate Recovery or the Special Olympics.

Friends and family may view full obituary and sign the online guestbook by logging onto www. wrightandsalmon.com.