Francis David Tingley

It is with heavy hearts we say good bye to our loving father, Francis David (Bud) Tingley, Jr. On July 30th, he crossed over to his heavenly home. At 91 years of age he had worn many hats throughout his lifetime and now it was time to hang his final one. On January 1st 1935 he was the second baby born at Cottage Hospital, Galesburg, Illinois that first day of the year. His parents were Francis D. (Shorty) Tingley, Sr and Geneva House Tingley Frey. During high
school at GHS, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps, 1st Division, serving later as a sergeant,1953-56 during the close of the Korean War. Upon his return, he served three years in the reserves and began working at the Burlington Route/CB&Q Railroad (1956) as a brakeman.
At that time steam engines were still in full operation in the Galesburg railroad yards. He would then transition to the role of conductor as the company became Burlington Northern and then BNSF. In February 1997, after 41 years of railroad employment, he would then retire.
In 1956 (October 4th) he married Marian “Beverly” Totten in Alexis, Illinois and they would make Galesburg their home while he continued to work for the railroad—doing frequent trips to both Burlington and Ottumwa, Iowa. For a short time he even worked Amtrak passenger Chicago to Galesburg.
David (Bud) surely loved life, the company of others, taking walks, his Church of the Nazarene fellowship Galesburg, IL and Columbus, IN), Work and Witness trips with mom, Habitat for Humanity, the Masons, playing golf, doing math, woodworking, and telling stories. His memory was quite sharp even till the end, but his favorite pastime was telling jokes of all kinds and then sharing cartoons on his smart phone. He truly loved teasing and making others laugh and smile.
He is survived by his daughter Michelle Walls (Mike) of Nashville, IN and grandsons Matthew D. Walls and W. Michael Walls; his son, Francis David Tingley, III (Gerardo), Mystic, CT and his son Todd J. Tingley (Sheryl), Bismarck, IL, including granddaughter Lauren N. Tingley, Ocala, FL and grandson Andrew N. Tingley (Maryn), Bismarck, IL. He is preceded in death by his infant son Paul Arthur, his parents, and his wife of 63 years, Beverly (2023).
The Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in the Jewell – Rittman Funeral Service & Crematory. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1245 McClure Road, Columbus. Burial will take place in Galesburg East Linwood Cemetery. Memorials in his name can be made to Habitat for Humanity or the NWMS Mission Society via The Nazarene Church. Visit www.JewellRittman.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.