- Date Of Birth: August 11, 1957
- Date Of Death: May 13, 2021
- State: Indiana
Mr. Timothy Wayne “Tim” Dunham, 63, of Hines, IL and formerly of Elkhart, has finally completed his Earthly deployment and has received orders to report to his Heavenly Home on Thursday, May 13, 2021 while residing at the Edward Hines; Jr. Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Hines, IL. Tim was born on August 11, 1957 in Elkhart to the late John Henry Randles and Julia Lee (Dunham) Dinwiddie.
Tim’s memory will forever be cherished by those that loved him the most, including his sisters Alicia D. Randles of St. Louis, MO, Johnetta Randles of St. Ann, MO and Lorrie (William Anderson) Dinwiddie of Elkhart, IN; his brother Johnathan Randles, Jr. of St. Roberts, MO; his extended family Dave Thornton, Faith Fields, and Ruth Brown of Mishawaka, IN; his pals and the hard-working staff at Edward Hines VA Hospital, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Tim graduated Elkhart Memorial High School in 1975. He was a domineering influence on the Crimson Chargers’ football team, a sport which Tim loved dearly throughout the rest of his life. Shortly after graduating, Tim enlisted into the United States Army, where he served as a Fire Control Specialist with the 7th Army in Nuremberg, Germany. Tim remained in the Army for several years as a career soldier and during that time developed quite the affinity for the people, sights, sounds, and food of Germany.
While most family members will tell you that Tim just plain loved food (which he did), it is worth noting that the beer, brats, schnitzel and Schwartzwaldkuken ranked among his favorites when it came to cuisine. Although not fluent in conversational German, Tim knew enough Deutsch to get around and he befriended enough of the locals to obtain anything he needed. He also amassed quite a collection of original German beer steins.
After the Army, Tim returned to the hustle and bustle of the United States and gained employment as a truck driver. This proved a good match for Tim, because he enjoyed the space and mental peace afforded him by being on the open road. He enjoyed the ability to visit different states, and even better, different eateries. As discussed earlier, Tim was the consummate “foodie” and he established contacts across the United States where he knew he could drop in and get a good meal. It is noteworthy to mention that Tim had an affinity for hot and spicy food. What most people would describe as “insanely painful hot molten lava”, Tim would call “zippy”, and he would happily dive into all sorts of dips, sauces and cheeses infused with Ghost Peppers, Carolina Reapers and Habaneros.
In a subject slightly related, Tim was an accomplished gardener and horticulturist. He loved to grow anything and everything, the more carnivorous and exotic the better. He was very learned in plant species and enjoyed helping others with planting and growing advice.
Through his many journeys, there were few people Tim did not develop a strong liking towards or a bond with. Although he never married or became a father himself, many saw him as a mentor, father figure, and surrogate dad. He was a very positive force in the lives of many and tried to be a “rock” in everyone else’s “storm”. If Tim were still with us today, he would like for us to take a few moments to acknowledge some of the individuals who played such a vital role in his happiness and care towards the end of his life.
Many thanks to his “special niece,” good friend, and confident Faith Fields, who left no stone unturned in helping Tim get life-extending treatment and medical support. Thank you to the kind-hearted nurses and medical staff at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois (notably Junia “Juju” Davis and Altheria “Thea” Ford). Thank you to his sister Johnetta for the many late-night conversations and texts that made him chuckle and continue to fight on. Thanks Heidi-Sunje Bell for reminding him of the sights and sounds of Germany. And last, but not least, thank you Dean Cobb for always being there and helping Tim navigate his way through rough times.
