Submitted by: Dan Rich

Orval C. Pinckert

Oct. 28, 1924 - July 25, 2008

South Bend Tribune 7/27/2008
GRANGER - Orval C. "Pinky" Pinckert, 83, of Granger, passed from this life on Friday, July 25th, at 8:07 a.m. in Saint Joseph Medical Center, South Bend, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Orval was born October 28, 1924, to Clifton and Alta Pinckert, who preceded him in death. He is survived by one sister, Eleanor Stock of South Bend, IN, and one brother, Jack (Myra Jane) Pinckert of Jefferson, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1944 Orval married Dorothy H. Nihlean, who preceded him in death on June 28, 1988. In 1982 he retired from Uniroyal after 40 years of employment. With his strong love of dogs, he became a dog groomer for over 30 years. He was a life member of the Northway Church of Christ where he served for many years as trustee and was also a member of Council Oak Lodge 475 F&AM.

On December 28, 1990, he married Carol A. Root, who survives along with his three children, Diana (Michael) Holzhausen of South Bend, IN, Deborah (Charles) Hums of Granger, IN, Dennis (Mona) Pinckert of Santa Claus, IN; and four stepchildren, Randy (Mona) Root of South Bend, Lorri Stump of South Bend, Kim (Don) Simon of Osceola, IN, and Mary (Ron) Cenkush of Osceola, IN. Orval has four grandchildren, Christopher (Michelle) Braden, Jennifer Braden, Scott and Kyle Hums and Samuel Pinckert; nine step-grandchildren, Troy and Justin Stump, Lindsey Sutton, Matthew Root, Laura Simon, James Greenleaf, Anthony, Erik and Jorden Cenkush. There are also three great-grandchildren. His great sense of humor, love of life, and his Christian values will be greatly missed by all those he loved and who loved him.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 29th, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, with Pastor Edgar D. Erskin officiating. Burial will be at Olive Chapel Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Northway Church of Christ, to The Alzheimer's Association of Northern Indiana, or to Pet Refuge.