Russell S. Brinker & Nancy Carol Brinker

Russell S. Brinker, 85, of Makanda, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, at home.

Nancy Carol Brinker, 84, of Makanda, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Russell and Nancy were married on Sept. 20, 1952, and shared 65 happy years of marriage together.

Russell was born on May 20, 1932, in Cicero, the son of Frederick and May Vlach Brinker. He served in the U.S. Army, where he earned the rank of PFC. He was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal while serving in the armed forces before being honorably discharged.

Upon discharge from the military, he held a few positions in the work force, but his most recent position was as a maintenance supervisor at a local nursing home in Carbondale.

Nancy was born on Aug. 22, 1933, in Warrenville, the daughter of Arthur James and Mildred Ann Stafford Fairbanks. She worked as the activities director and as a nurse’s aide at local health care facilities in the Carbondale area.

She also was involved in the First Christian Church in Anna, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and helping with the children’s Sunday School classes.

They are survived by one son, Vince Brinker of Lake Butler, Fla.; one daughter, Mary (Allen) Rose of Fallbrook, Calif.; grandchildren Jessica (Jeff) Brinker Camp, Kathy (James) Brinker Ritchey and Erik R. Rose; great-grandchildren Olivia Camp, Jackson, Aden and Emma Ritchey; and many other relatives, neighbors and friends.

Russell and Nancy were both preceded in death by each of their parents.

Graveside services for Russell were at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City.

Graveside inurnment for Nancy took place at Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at 12:30 p.m.

Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.

To view the obituary or leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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