Obituaries

Richard Francis Brinker, age 98, of Detroit, Alger, and Cedarville, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2023, in Cedarville with his daughter at his side. He is survived by his daughter Mary Sue Brinker (Roger Dunham), granddaughter Sinda Brinker Nichols (Nicholas Tonks), grandson Benjamin Hayes Nichols (Ryan Murphy), and two great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna Jean (Hayes) Brinker (d. 2014) and son Michael John Brinker (d. 2022).

Richard was born in St. Clair, Michigan, on January 29, 1925. Following the tragic death of his mother Armilda (Rogers) Brinker in childbirth, Richard was raised by loving aunts, uncles, and grandparents. As a young man he worked as a service station mechanic with his father Walter J. Brinker at Brinker’s Super Service of Detroit. Richard served three years with the US Army in WWII in the Pacific theater. After the war, he and his wife Donna raised two children in Detroit where Richard worked at Dodge Main, one of the largest automotive factories in America. Later he was employed as a machinist at Visitrol Tool and Dye in Detroit. In retirement, many years were enjoyed on Forest Lake outside Alger.

Always a good-humored jokester, Richard made friends wherever he went, enjoyed caring for others, and had an enduring ability to adapt to any situation and make the best of it. These are, no doubt, the qualities that also helped him enjoy 98 full years of life, along with his unfettered love of swearing.

The family will hold a private memorial service in St. Clair in the summer of 2024.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Richard Brinker’s name to McLaren Hospice,761 Lafayette Ave. Cheboygan, MI. 49721, or Cedar Cove (nonprofit) at cedarcoveassistedliving.org.

Galer Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com

Obituary as submitted by family.