Ethel L. Tinder

Ethel L. Tinder

Mount Pleasant

Ethel L. Tinder, 83, of Mt. Pleasant passed away at her residence on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Mrs. Tinder, the former Ethel Lorraine Bryant, was born Juny 26, 1942 in Mexico, MO. She was the daughter of Wesley and Flossie (Bonner) Bryant. Ethel grew up in Vandelia, MO and attended school there, graduating from Vandelia High School. On December 11, 1966 in Hamilton, IL, Ethel was united in marriage to Paul Leon Tinder.

The couple moved to make their home in Mt. Pleasant in March of 1978. Ethel worked for a time at the former Metromail Corp. in Mt. Pleasant. She then accepted a position at the Mt. Pleasant Community School District, where for 17 years, she worked with students with learning disabilities.

Ethel was a faithful member of Second Baptist Ministries of Mt. Pleasant, where she taught Sunday School and played piano for church services. For 10 years, she was the pianist for The Tinders – a family band. The Tinders played at numerous locations throughout Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. They often played for veterans’ homes and groups, and at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion.

Ethel had a passion for word search puzzles, making them part of her daily routine. Ethel loved to bake – cheesecakes being her specialty.

Those thankful for sharing in Ethel’s life include her husband of 58 years, Paul of Mt. Pleasant; 4 children – Sharon Harris and her husband Medgar of Rock Island, IL, Dempsey Dixon of Mt. Pleasant, Paul Tinder, Jr. of Chaska, MN and William Tinder and his wife Esther of Belleville, IL; a sister – Laura Williams and her husband Weldon of Illinois; 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Her parents, sisters Margaret and Josephine, brother Wesley Jr. and a great-grandchild precede Ethel in death.

Friends may call to pay their respects from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Friday, October 31 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will not be present on Friday. The family will be present to greet friends from 11 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, November 1 at the First Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut Street.

The funeral service for Ethel will be 12 Noon on Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, The Reverend Tony Campbell, Pastor of Second Baptist Ministries, will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Memory Gardens in Keokuk, IA.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.