Annabelle Tinberg

Annabelle Tinberg, 95, of South Bend, Ind., passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel. A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 23, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 613 Court St., St. Joseph, with Pastor Michael Roth officiating. Entombment will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or St. Joseph Public School Foundation. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Annabelle was born on Sept. 14, 1929, in Benton Harbor, to Edmund and Alvina (Luttke) Pedde. After losing both of her parents by age 14, Annabelle was raised by her oldest brother, as she was the second youngest, and only girl of eight children. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1947. Immediately following graduation, she had to become self-reliant, moving into the Eleanor Club in Benton Harbor and working as a legal secretary.

On Aug. 15, 1948, Annabelle married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Donald "Gene" Tinberg. The two were happily married for 55 years before his passing in 2003. While Gene was serving in the military, the two of them moved to California for a brief while. Shortly after they returned to Michigan, Annabelle took time off to have children and worked briefly at the Sears catalogue desk until the children were in school. By the late 1960s, she returned to work as a full-time legal secretary, continuing after relocating to the South Bend area in 1977. She held the position into her 80s, while also serving as a volunteer at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. Annabelle was known for being very independent and determined when she set her mind to something; her kindness and wonderful spirit will truly be missed by all who knew her.

Annabelle is survived by her daughter, Donna (Jim Pallas) Tinberg of Northville, Mich., son, Michael Tinberg of Lady's Island, S.C.; grandchildren: Kelli Garcia and Kristin (Paul) Grenon; great-grandchild, Adam Grenon and numerous nieces and nephews, including her godchild, Lisa Pedde.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Edmund and Alvina; loving husband, Gene; and her brothers, "the Pedde boys": Bill (Dorothy), Norm (Geneva), Eddie (Mickey), Ave (Jeannie), Babe (Dorothy), Harold (Loretta) and Sam (Bette).