Gary L. Brinker, 70, of Franklin, and formerly of Hawthorn and Dubois, died peacefully in his sleep in his daughter’s home, on June 6, 2019.
Born on August 3, 1948 in Curllsville, he was the son of the late Jay L. and Ethel Geraldine (Dunkle) Brinker. He was married on August 29, 1969 to Linda (Lehner) Brinker of Hawthorn.
Gary graduated from Union High School in 1966 and then went on to Clarion State College where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography in 1969. He later went back to Clarion and received a second Bachelor’s Degree in History. He was of the Catholic faith. He worked from 1966 to 2001 as a meat cutter for Gourley Meat Packing and became a meat inspector from 2001 to 2009 for the USDA.
He was very involved in the Redbank Valley Wrestling and was a Junior Olympics coach for many years. He was the president of the Hawthorn Borough Council. He was actively involved in the New Bethlehem Little League for 6 years where he helped develop the new ball fields. He enjoyed hunting with his sons, and valued the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. He absolutely loved to cook, and was famous for his scalloped potatoes, potato salad and especially his chili.
He is survived by a daughter, Melissa Persing and her husband D. J. of Franklin, four sons, Burton Brinker of Silver Springs, Maryland, Bruce Brinker of Pittsburgh, Ben Brinker and his wife Nicki of Distant, and Brandon Brinker and his wife Brandy of New Bethlehem, twelve grandchildren, Zachary, Ty, Clare Marie, Garrett, Ryan, Noah, Hadon, Cole, Haley, Avery, Gregory, and Ravenna, four brothers, Jay Brinker (Janet) of Mill Hall, Harold Brinker (Dianna) of Reader, West Virginia, Robert Brinker (Brenda) of Rimersburg, and Craig Brinker (Pam) of Sligo, a sister, Penny Young (Bill) of Sligo, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Matthew Paul Brinker.
Visitation will be on Sunday, June 9, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alcorn Funeral Home in Hawthorn. Prior to the visitation, there will be a Prayer Vigil at 5:30 p.m. There will be additional viewing on Monday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the St Charles Catholic Church in New Bethlehem. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. at the church, with Rev. Father Sam Bungo, serving as celebrant. Interment will be in the Hawthorn Cemetery, Clarion County.
Memorial donations may be made in Gary’s honor to the Redbank Valley Wrestling Club, 910 Broad St. New Bethlehem, Pa. 16242
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.alcornfuneralhome.com.
