John Michael "Mike" Tinkham, longtime community member of Big Rapids, recently of Fort Lauderdale, passed away on Wednesday, September 6th, 2023 in Big Rapids, Michigan, with his daughter Allyse by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Rosalie (Gosbee) Tinkham, brother Tom, sister-in-law Patty, nephew Geoff, and son-in-law Brian. On April 21st, 1955, Mike was born in Missoula, Montana. He was the third of four boys, raised in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Mike graduated from Mount Clemens High in 1973. He married his high school sweetheart Denise Haezebrouck in 1975. They moved to Saginaw, and he worked as an alcoholism therapist before pursuing and earning a BS in Medical Technology from Ferris State College. After attending Ferris, the two moved into the cottage house at Osburndale, where he was delighted to learn and work alongside Charlie and Ellen Osburn in their garden. Mike and Denise welcomed their daughters in the fall of 83 and 86. Mike enjoyed adventures with his daughters biking, camping, rollerblading, and making trips to Sauble Beach. He trained and ran in the Chicago and Boston Marathons. He was an early organizer and worker at Recycle of Mecosta County. He loved to sail and windsurf. Mike thrived by the water. In 2006, he relocated to sunny Florida. He wrapped up his 30+ years as a senior medical technologist at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, bicycling, and cruising with the top down in his Mazda Miata or BMW. Post retirement, "Grampy" suffered from Frontotemporal Dementia with Primary Progressive Aphasia, and relocated to Michigan to live with his daughters and grandchildren. John Michael Tinkham is survived by daughters, Katie (Eric) Butera, and Allyse (Brady) Ward; grandchildren, Ava Elyse Butera, age 17, Josephine Marie Ward, age 5, and Jameson Michael Ward, age 3; brothers, Clifford and Matthew (Linda); and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will take place at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with the family greeting friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the Funeral Home. To honor Mike, please wear colorful clothing to celebrate his life. Mikes wishes were to support his grandchildrens education fund or to support Recycle of Mecosta County. Please make memorial contributions in Mikes name to his family (envelopes are available at Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home, where they can be mailed) or to Recycle of Mecosta County (recyclemecosta.org). Share a memory, a picture, or a condolence for the family at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Memorial Service Saturday, September 16, 2023 3:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,MI 49307 The family will greet friends Saturday, September 16, 2023 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,MI 49307