Vern was born in Springfield, Ohio on May 12, 1947 to Vernon Riley Jr. and Maude Turner Tinsler. He grew up in Springfield and the Dearborn, Mich., area with his brother and two sisters.
Vern was a truck driver until his motorcycle accident at the age of 40. While his rescue was miraculous, he struggled with brain injury and limited use of his right arm and leg for the next 25 years.
Vern moved to Clifton, Colo., to be closer to his mother, and about six years ago moved to Moab. Vern was social and made many friends. Often, he went to the Senior Center and added joy to the lives of the staff and people that go there to eat. He instituted “Orange Day,” where everyone who came on that day was encouraged to wear orange; now if that doesn’t make one laugh...
Vern was a perfect host, always offering his special “elixir of life” and making sure, before you did anything else, that he had caught up on events in your life. He was generous and caring. Vern was a bit rough on the outside but he had a big heart. He cared deeply about his friends, playing backgammon, talking, and worrying about their lives and happiness.
Vern did not suffer injustices to anyone lightly. If he was concerned about you, he would do everything he could to help out, and he was appreciative for everything people did for him. He never never could thank them enough.
Vern is survived by a brother, Greg (Mary) Tinsler; a sister, Julie VanBuskirk; and by a niece and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Lucy Ann Tinsler.
At Vern’s request cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.