Lola " Tinker " Wentzloff

Lola Tinker Wentzloff was a vibrant, vivacious woman, bold and beautiful, full of life and love and laughter. She was a strong woman, with a personality to match, who faced every challenge life threw her way. Tinker was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, who treasured her family most of all. Tinkers story began on a warm summer day in 1952, in the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were turbulent times in this country, which was battling the Korean War overseas, and the Cold War here at home. On August 11, 1952, Elmer and Elaine (Hall) Bisard found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby girl at Hackley Hospital, a daughter they named Lola. Lola was one of 13 children in the large family, crowding into their home at 889 Chandler Road. Lola was joined by her nine brothers and three sisters, while her father worked at Sealed Power Corporation to put food on the table. Early on, her siblings started calling her a little Stinker, which soon got shortened to Tinker, the nickname that stuck the rest of her life. Tinker began attending Carr Elementary School, but when she was just six years old, she was severely burned in a fire. She required many surgeries and skin grafts over the years, and her classmates sometimes teased her about her scars. Her big brothers were always quick to come to her aid, though, and were always very protective of her. Tinker eventually grew into a bold, beautiful young woman, and by the time she began attending Muskegon High School, she was a very social girl. She loved going to dances, parties, hanging out with her friends and was a little boy-crazy, too! One day she met a handsome young man named Leeland Rose, and it was love at first sight for Tinker. They began dating, and soon were expecting. Tinkers happiness was tempered by the sudden death of her dad in April of 1971, a very difficult loss for her. Tinkers spirits were buoyed by the birth of her beautiful daughter Carol, on July 27, 1971. Leeland soon left the picture, but Tinker was a very happy 18-year-old single mom. All she needed was her daughters love, and loved being a mother. She became a mother again in 1976, with a delightful little treat on Halloween, with the birth of her daughter Christina. Tinker was so close to her daughters, and was a wonderful mom. Sadly, Tinkers own beloved mom died in 1980, and she was understandably devastated. Needing a change of scenery, Tinker and her girls moved south to West Palm Beach, Florida in 1981. It was the sandy shores of Muskegon that was truly home for Tinker, though, and after three years in Florida, she and the girls moved back home in 1984, ready to begin a new life there. And in so many wonderful ways, thats exactly what happened for her. In 1985, Tinker reunited with a very good, longtime friend named Clarence Butch Wentzloff, and once they reconnected, they began to realize they were meant to be together. They started dating, and soon fell in love. In 1988, Carol gave birth to Tinkers first grandchild, Terry, on September 26, 1988. Tinker and Butch were ecstatic, and Tinker was especially happy to become a grandma. On March 28, 1992, Tinker and her beloved Butch were married at Hesperia Presbyterian Church, and settled into a beautiful home at 7010 S. Loop Road in Hesperia. It was the home of Tinkers dreams, and soon became Grand Central Station too! Terry moved in with Tinker and Butch later in 1992, and the home was always filled with the hubbub of activity, just the way Tinker liked it. She loved to cook, sew, and take care of the home and pool, and was always doing something around the house. She loved having family and friends over. Tinkers daughter Christina married Stan Stroven, and the couple gave Tinker two beautiful granddaughters, Aerial and Breanna, while Carol and her partner Melissa added a son, Zander. Tinkers family was complete, and she couldnt have been happier or prouder of each of them. Tinker was the straw that stirred the familys drink, though. She was a strong, stubborn woman, bold and boisterous, but also incredibly giving and gracious. Whenever there was a crowd in her home, youd find Tinker in the middle of it, her booming laugh cutting through the house. Tinker was a wonderfully funny and fun-loving woman, who everyone loved being around. Tinker and Butch had a beautiful marriage, and loved being together. They loved traveling, or going to the casinos together. In 1998, Tinkers health began to noticeably decline, though she continued to do the things she loved, especially spending time with her beloved family. She continued to help people wherever she could, too, always putting others needs before her own. While she struggled with her health problems, Tinker also suffered two difficult losses later in her life. In 2006, her nephew Jeff died, which was hard for her. Then on December 12, 2007, her grandson Terry was killed in an auto accident, a devastating loss for her. Sadly, Tinker died suddenly on Sunday, February 10, 2008, at the age of 55. Tinker was a vibrant, vivacious woman, bold and beautiful, and so full of life, love and laughter. She was a strong woman, with a personality to match, who faced every challenge life threw her way. Tinker was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and truly a gift to all who knew her. She will be so greatly missed. Tinker is survived by her husband, Clarence " Butch " ; 2 daughters, Carol (Melissa) Ripley of Muskegon & Christina (Stan) Stroven of Fremont; 3 grandchildren, Aeriel, Breanna & Zander; 7 brothers, Fred (Joan) Bisard, James (Bonnie) Bisard, James (Dolly) Ripley, Wayne (Paula) Ripley, all of Muskegon, Richard (Liz) Ripley of MO, Robert Bisard of Muskegon & Randy Bisard of Manistee, MI; 2 sisters, Lois (Jerry) Ploeger of ID & Linda (Gary) Lamer of OH; several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Terry Ripley; 2 brothers, Elmer Jr. & Richard Bisard & a sister, Ardis Neuman. Services are scheduled for Saturday, February 16, 2008, 3:00 PM at the Clock Chapel with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. Interment at Egelston Township Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to a Charity of Choice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Tinker, or to sign her online guestbook.