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April 18, 2024
Gregory Brinkmann, 78, Wonder Lake, died Saturday, July 21, 2012, at his home.
He was born June 6, 1934, in Chicago to George H. and Ercile Marie (Barber) Brinkmann.
He graduated from Proviso East High School, Maywood, in 1952.
On Dec. 29, 1956, he married Joyce Liehr, also a 1952 Proviso East graduate, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Melrose Park.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Colorado Springs, Colo., from 1956 to 1958. After his discharge from the service, he lived in Bensenville before moving to Wonder Lake in 1968. There he built a home, fulfilling his dream of raising his family on a lake.
He worked for Illinois Bell as a cable splicer in the construction department and, later, as a construction manager.
He was interested in Civil War and World War II books and restored several antique boats. He loved his many trips around Wonder Lake on his deck boat and enjoyed family houseboat trips to Lake Cumberland, Ky. He enjoyed remodeling homes and was known as a “jack of all trades” and as someone who made a lot of jokes. His family was most important to him.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years; two sons, Mark (Trudy) Brinkmann, Crystal Lake, and Steve (Alyce) Brinkmann, Spring Grove; a daughter, Laurie (Dave) Busse, Wonder Lake; seven grandchildren, Matthew and Eric Brinkmann, Luke and Marlena Brinkmann, and Cory, Jake and Ben Busse; a sister, Sally (Don) Stevenson, Medford, Wis.; a brother-in-law, David Liehr, Sun City, Fla.; five nieces; and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his father- and mother-in-law, David and Evelyn Liehr; and a son-in-law, Jeffrey Spencer.
Visitation and the funeral were July 26 at Justen Funeral Home & Crematory, McHenry. The funeral was officiated by the Rev. Dave Gaddini, Fellowship of Faith Church.
The funeral was followed by military honors.
Inurnment was private.
Memorials can be sent to Fellowship of Faith Church, 6120 Mason Hill Road, McHenry, IL 60050, or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois, Woodstock.
