Francis O. Brinkman, 72, passed away Sunday morning, March 12, 2017, at his residence near Huntingburg.
He was born in Ferdinand, Indiana on February 4, 1945, the son of Joseph and Augusta (Hackman) Brinkman; and was married to Mary H. Beyke on September 24, 1966, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church. Francis graduated from St. Ferdinand High School in 1963 and served in the United States Army. He retired from farming and was part owner of Duckville Trucking, Inc. He enjoyed gardening, fishing with his grandkids and was looking forward to meeting his newest grandchild. He was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Huntingburg; Ferdinand American Legion Post #124; and a life member of Dubois County Disabled American Veterans Chapter #77, where he was a past Commander. Francis was a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 181 in Huntingburg and a long-time member of the Scout Committee. He was named Dubois County’s Outstanding Young Farmer in 1976 and received the Boy Scouts Lincoln Heritage District Award of Merit. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Cletus and Andrew Brinkman; and sister, Anna Marie Wagner.
Francis is survived by his wife, Mary Brinkman; three sons, Greg (Vicky) of Duckville, Ben (Stephanie) of Ferdinand and Vincent (Marla) of Huntington; three daughters, Mary “Fran” Brinkman of Ferdinand, Susan (Garry) Elkington of Huntingburg and Becky Brinkman of Evansville; two brothers, Wilfred of Jasper and Leonard of Ferdinand; two sisters, Rosaline Hopf of Duff and Irma (Danny) Borman of Duckville; and ten grandchildren, Kylie and Leah Eckert, Allison (Justin) Sutton, Elizabeth, Alyssa, Brendan, Aidan and Audrie Brinkman, Emily McLean and Claire Elkington.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., E.D.T., Saturday, March 18, 2017, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntingburg with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. The funeral Mass will be celebrated by Reverend Ryan Hilderbrand. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Ferdinand American Legion Post #124 Memorial Detail.
Friends may call for visitation at the Nass & Son Funeral Home in Huntingburg from 2:00-8:00 p.m., Friday. The Disabled American Veterans Chapter #77 will conduct a vigil service at 6:30 p.m., Friday, followed by a parish rosary prayer service led by Deacon Tom Holsworth. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Church, Huntingburg Boy Scout Troop 181, The Dale Helmerich Memorial Scholarship Fund, or a favorite charity. Condolences may be shared online at: www.nassandson.com
