Daniel "Tinker" S. Warnken, 61 years of age from Kearney, Nebraska, formerly of Hildreth passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017 at his home in Kearney after a battle with cancer. Funeral services will be on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth with Reverends Steve and Patti Byrne officiating. Burial will be in the St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Hildreth. Visitation will be at the Jelden-Craig Funeral Home in Hildreth on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m.

Tinker was born on January 17, 1956 in Franklin, NE to Irvin and Lorraine (Hemje) Warnken. He was raised on a farm southeast of Hildreth and was baptized and confirmed at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Hildreth. He graduated from Hildreth High School in 1974.

Tinker married Tammy Price, and they lived on the family farm. They later divorced and Tinker worked at numerous jobs in the area; later working at Bethphage Mission in Axtell where he met his companion, Susan Hulshizer. They lived in Kearney for several years where Tinker did maintenance for several motels in Kearney.

Tinker enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting, and his farm "Green Acres" was very special to him. He loved being around his family and friends, tinkering around with various projects and taking rides with his dog, Buddy. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Tinker requested that casual attire would be his preference for all attending his funeral.

Survivors include his long-time companion, Susie and daughter, Ashley of Kearney; two brothers, Randy Warnken and wife, Ann of Minden and Terry Warnken and wife, Marilyn of Hildreth; sister, Deb Knaus and husband, Ron of Hildreth; four nieces and nephews, Melissa Jakubowski and husband, Mike, Ashley Konert and husband, Derek, Alan Warnken and wife, Heather and Shayla Warnken; three great nieces and sister in-law, Connie Riess of Kearney. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Monty Warnken.