Wilma Kay (Zimmer) Tinkle, 79, of Bargersville, IN passed away with her family and friends at her side on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Wilma was mother to her three sons as well as a bonus mom to many.

She would tell stories of growing up on the Southside of Indianapolis and graduating from Southport High School in 1964.  She was also a graduate of PJ's College of Cosmetology.

She was the second oldest in a family of six, five girls and one boy.

Her entire family was crushed of the untimely and early death of her only brother Mark Edward Zimmer in 1973 from a car crash, but they persevered.

Wilma married and had three sons, all becoming firefighters.  She was very proud of her sons.

She was called to be a homemaker.  Early on, being a mother to three boys, she made it important to be close to her family by doing many things with her sons, sisters, and their children.

Throughout her life, she had four husbands, created many memories and held several jobs. Wilma had been a school bus driver for the Clark Pleasant Community School Corporation for ten years.

What exemplified was the care, love and compassion for others.  She never saw a pet she could not love and take in.  Moving to a small farm in 2011 with her husband Pat, allowed her to do just that thing.  She also enjoyed decorating, crafting, cooking and canning.  Wilma also loved gardening, taking care of her Dahlia flowers from her mom and a Peony "Piney" bush that she dearly loved.

She is survived by her three sons Eric Roberts (Tina) of Mooresville, IN, Kevin Roberts (Malorie) of Bargersville, IN and Mark Roberts (Tessa) of Indianapolis, IN, sisters Shirley Zimmer of Franklin, IN, Beverly Cravens of Indianapolis, IN, Barbara Zimmer of Franklin, IN and Marla Murphy of Indianapolis, IN, grandchildren Grant Roberts (Catherine), Dakota Fulkner (John), Holden Roberts, Olivia Roberts, Lawson Roberts, Lilli Roberts and Lennox Roberts and a great-grandson Mason Roberts.

She was preceded in death by her husband Patrick E. "Pat" Tinkle on April 28, 2022, her parents William Robert Zimmer and Helen Marie (Flinn) Roberts and her brother Mark Edward Zimmer in 1973.

Pastor Bruce Bendinger will conduct a service on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6 PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/wilmatinkle.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 3PM until service time at the mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Information 317-738-0202