Charlene Elaine Brinker

Charlene Elaine (Thomas) Brinker, 91, of Battle Creek, died December 5, 2016 at the Caretel Inns of St. Joseph, MI. Charlene was born November 15, 1925 in Hastings, MI to Sylvester and Margaret (Flynn) Thomas. She married Edward Brinker on November 15, 1947 at St. Rose Catholic Church in Hastings. She was a former member of St. Philip and St. Rose Catholic Church.

Charlene graduated from Hastings High School in 1943. She was a homemaker and spent her life raising their five children, David (Vicki) Brinker of Watervliet, MI., Steven Brinker of Roswell, NM., Kevin (Tracy) Brinker of Wilmington, DE., Bruce Brinker of Wilmington, DE. And Connie (Ron) Branson of Elkton, MD.; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Marvin Thomas of Scotts, MI. and a sister-in-law, Ann Brinker Humphrey of Freeport, MI.

Charlene was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, her parents, and two sisters-in-law, Dixie Thomas and Elizabeth Wheat.

A graveside service to celebrate Charlene's life will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 12, 2016 at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.