Mary E. Brinker, age 100, passed away Tuesday afternoon (April 13, 2021) from a sudden illness. She was the only child of Walt and Ruby Pilgrim Eickemeyer born on September 7, 1920 in Richmond, Indiana. Mary attended St. John’s Lutheran School, Hibberd School and graduated from Richmond High School (formerly known as Morton High School). She attended Richmond Business College which led to her employment as a secretary at Ralston Purina. She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert “Bob” Brinker, on February 12, 1943 at Camp Forrest, Tennessee before his deployment overseas in WWII a few months later. Mary and Bob were happily married for 61 years and had three beautiful children. She was a loving and devoted mother who dedicated her life to caring for her beloved son Jimmy up until the time he was placed in a long-term care facility a few months ago. She was also very active in the lives of her daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and was proud to become a new great-great grandmother in January 2021. Mary has been an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for over 70 years and until her death was its oldest living member. She enjoyed boating up and down the Ohio River, traveling to Mexico, Europe and many other countries, coloring beautiful pictures, watching NASCAR races, Notre Dame football and loved spending time with her entire family.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Linda (Gary) Matthews of Indianapolis, Indiana, James “Jimmy” Brinker of Richmond, Indiana and Susan Elstro of Richmond, Indiana; grandchildren Scott (Jen) Matthews of Indianapolis, Indiana; Ann (Gaar) Nolte of Riverview, Florida, Jennifer (Danny) Quinn of Dublin, Ohio, Melissa (Jack) Howe of Richmond, Indiana and Laura Elstro of Richmond, Indiana; great-grandchildren John and Abby Nolte, Ben Matthews, Caitlyn, Avery and Evelyn Quinn, Andrew, Jenna and Emily Howe; great-great grandchild Aubrey Skidmore; loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and great grandson Jackson Howe.
Services for Mary will be held at 2:00 pm Monday (April 19, 2021) at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Pastor Chuck Miller will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at Lutherania Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday (April 19, 2021) at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 121 S 18th St. Richmond, Indiana. Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary is handling the arrangements.