ELKHART -- Conn L. "Tinker" Humphrey, 77, of Elkhart, died at 10 a.m. Sunday (Dec. 7, 2008) in his home.

He was born Dec. 6, 1931, in McCracken County, Ky., to Herman H. and Effie (Simmons) Humphrey. On March 3, 1957, he married Betty A. Dulin in Ypsilanti, Mich. She died Sept. 13, 2003, in Elkhart.

Mr. Humphrey is survived by three sons, Jerry Grogan of Jamestown, Calif., and David (Florence) Humphrey and Mark (Tracy) Humphrey, both of Elkhart; four daughters, Vicky (Roger) Hartley of Muncie, Cindy (Mark) Miller and Kelly (Jeff) Shreiner, both of Bristol, and Rhonda (Rick) Backers of Albers, Ill.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Hubert (Betty) Humphrey and Hyatt "Cotton" (Juanita) Humphrey, both of Paducah, Ky., and Herman H. (Jane) Humphrey Jr. of Kevil, Ky.; and two sisters, Annette (Richard) Ramage of Ypsilanti and Susie (Kenneth) Hall of Paducah.

He was preceded in death by one son, Mike Grogan; one great-grandson, Dominic Miller; two brothers, Merlin and Jim Humphrey; and two sisters, Elizabeth Koerner and Maria Finney.

Mr. Humphrey retired after more than 25 years of service with Shreiner & Sons Inc., Elkhart. He was a member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 166 out of Fort Wayne, Elkhart Moose Lodge 599 and Bristol American Legion Post 143. His hobbies and interests included dancing, NASCAR, fishing, boating, camping, gambling, PBR and spending time with his family.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Billings funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to Friday's 10 a.m. funeral service at the funeral home. Pastor Marvin Engbrecht of Nappanee Missionary Church will officiate. Cremation will follow the service and entombment will be at a later date in Hope Mausoleum, Rice Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Mooseheart, care of Moose Charities, 155 S. International Drive, Mooseheart, IL 60539-1100 or American Cancer Society. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.