Harold Ray Tinsley

Former Butler County Assessor and Poplar Bluff City Councilman, Harold Ray Tinsley, 82, died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011 at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Tinlsey was born Oct. 11, 1928, in Harviell, Mo. He was a member of South Poplar Bluff General Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge 209 and active in the Democratic Party. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy. After retiring from the county post, Mr. Tinsley served the city's 1st Ward for three terms, making him one of the longest serving local elected officials in Butler County history.

In 1950, he was married to Peggy Walker. She survives.

Other survivors include two daughters, Jackie Merriman and husband Gene of Poplar Bluff and Carol Cruthis and husband Stan of Little Rock, Ark.; a grandson, John-Marc Merriman and wife Shawn of Hollister, Mo.; and two great-grandchildren, Tinsley Merriman and Chloe Merriman.

His parents, Tom and Iva (McGowen) Tinsley, a sister, Ethel Walker and four brothers, Ernest Tinsley, Elmer Tinsley, Bill Tinsley and Jack Tinsley preceded Mr. Tinsley in death.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Chapel with Rev. Keith Luke officiating and Rev. Dwayne Foster assisting. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to South Poplar Bluff General Baptist Church, 817 Arthur St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901, or to Poplar Bluff Public Library, 318 North Main St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.