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Houghton: Earl R. Brinkman, 80, a longtime Houghton resident, passed away at his home on Wednesday morning, October 25, 2017 with family at his side.
He was born in Hancock on May 3, 1937 to the late Elfrieda Brinkman, and was raised by Leonard and Edna Christoferson. Following graduation from Houghton High School in 1956, Earl worked at the Houghton Bottling Works until being drafted into the U.S. Army in October of 1956. He served with Battery A, 83rd Missile Battalion until October of 1958 in Hanford, Washington when he was honorably discharged.
He returned to the area to own and operate a Standard Station in Hancock for 2 years, and then worked at Hornick’s Service in Houghton before going to work at Michigan Tech in 1964. He was a shift operator at the heating plant until his retirement in 1997.
Earl married Charlotte Rinscheid on June 17, 1961 at the Salem Lutheran Church of Hancock. He has been a faithful member of Saints Peter & Paul Lutheran Church of Houghton for many years. He was a former member of Alfred Erickson Post #186 American Legion of Hancock, and was a member and past Master at the Quincy Lodge F & AM of Hancock. He enjoyed a hobby farm on the Paradise Road, collecting stamps, and model railroading. His stories, whether witty or historical, were enjoyed by all that knew him. He had a great sense of humor, enjoyed laughing, and his family was very important to him. His kind spirit and generous nature were admired by all.
He was preceded in death by his mother, the Christofersons, and several aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte of Houghton; 3 children: Deborah (Glen) Chaput of Hubbell, Steve Brinkman of Byron, MI, and Ron (Lori Juopperi) of Mason; 5 grandchildren: Deidra, Larry (Kellie), Heather, William, and Steven; 5 great-grandchildren: Mika, Jermaine, Audrey, Giselle, and Max; and brothers-in-law: Francis (Michelle) DesJardin, Richard Strang, and David (Carole) Strang.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at Saints Peter & Paul Lutheran Church with Pastor Aaron Gerke to officiate. Visitation will be before services on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton where the Copper Country Veterans Association will conduct military honors.
A very special thank you to the caregivers at U.P. Health System-Portage Home and Hospice for their loving care of Earl.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is in charge of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
