Tinker Jean Reese went home to be with Jesus on May 2, 2015. She was born “Corinne Jean Bulger” May 25, 1930 in Borger, Texas to Richard and Olive (Hansler) Bulger and was the 4^th of six children. The childhood nickname “Tinker” was given to her and it stuck, becoming her legal name. In July 1939, amongst 32 contestants, she claimed the title of “Miss Personality” at the Kiddie Revue at the Borger Municipal Swimming Pool. Her family migrated to California in the early 1940’s following her eldest brother, Richard, who was stationed at Camp Pendleton. Richard was subsequently killed in action at Iwo Jima in 1945 and became a great source of both sorrow and pride for Tinker’s family throughout the years.

She met Jack Milton Reese, when his older brother became the preacher at Rosewood Christian Church (Compton, CA) and Jack came to “scout it out”. They married on April 10, 1949 in Compton, California. The couple went on to raise 5 children in Southern California. Jack passed away in 1990. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two other brothers and one sister.

Tinker is survived by her children: Richard Reese, William Reese (Marsha), Rebecca Dixon, Russell Reese (Wendy) and Janine Baxter (Robert), 13 grandchildren: Kurtis Reese (Tamara), Kevin Reese (Leslie), Daniel Dixon, Kristopher Reese, David Dixon, Kyle Reese, Stephen Baxter, Weston Reese, Sarah Dixon, Scott Baxter, Clayton Reese, Trenton Reese, Quinton Reese, 7 step grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren as well as several step great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother David Bulger of Moreno Valley, CA and her sister in law Melynda Bulger of Lake Havasu City, AZ as well as many nephews and nieces.

Tinker moved to Idaho in 1994 to be near her grandchildren. She babysat them as infants, provided childcare often and liked nothing better than watching them all at their sporting events, church activities, school activities, etc. She could change her outfit to match the team colors and attend a soccer game, football game and dance recital all in one day. She loved her 12 grandsons and saw countless numbers of football, basketball and baseball games over the years. Her one and only granddaughter was her pride and joy and a little girl could never have been more adored. She worked in the nurseries at New Life Community Church, Lake City Community Church and Real Life Ministries for many years and is known by hundreds of young people in the Coeur d’ Alene area simply as “Grandma Tinker”.

Her remains will be buried with her husband at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. A celebration of her life will take place July 12, 2015 at 2pm at Real Life in CDA (610 N. 4^th St.). For more information about services or to post your memories of Tinker, please visit on Facebook “Tinker Reese Memorial Service” (https://www.facebook.com/events/1563644453895674/)

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