Krystyna Tinkler (nee Drabowicz), age 79, passed away in Cape May, NJ on September 25, 2026. “Krys" was born on November 23, 1946 after WWII in a Displaced Persons Camp in Germany where her parents lived after being forced from their home in Poland. In 1949, Krys and her family including her brother, Zbigniew "Zig" were sponsored by the Sturgeon Bay Methodist Church and came through Ellis Island settling in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Krys graduated from SBHS in 1963 and soon after began administrative office work for the Sturgeon Bay/Milwaukee Shoe Factory. Her first major purchase was a 1966 baby blue Mustang that she loved driving throughout Door County. Soon, a young US Coast Guard cadet stationed in Sturgeon Bay, David Tinkler, from Canton, Ohio, caught Krys’ eye and love blossomed between the two. They married on May 18, 1968 in Sturgeon Bay. As a distinguished career member of the U.S. Coast Guard, Krys and Dave were stationed throughout the United States over the years and eventually settled and retired in the beautiful community of Cape May, NJ, home of the United States Coast Guard Training Center. Throughout her life and especially in more recent years she exemplified courage and resiliency, while always working hard to focus on the good things in her life. She was predeceased by her husband, Dave; son, Todd Tinkler; daughter, Tracy Coombs; brother, Ziggy Drabowicz; brother-in-law, James Tinkler and sister-in-law, Charlotte Tinkler. Krys is survived by her brother, Ronald Drabowicz (his wife, Bonnie); son-in-law, Kevin Coombs; granddaughters, Gabriella and Keva Coombs; sister-in-law, Barbara Drabowicz and brother-in-law, Tim Tinkler. She also leaves behind nieces and nephews that she always asked about and thought of with fondness. Krys' graveside service will take place on Monday (Oct. 12th) at 11am at the Cold Spring Cemetery Mausoleum, Cape May, NJ where her entombment will follow. (Spilker Funeral Home, Cape May, NJ) info and condolences: spilkerfuneralhome.com