Leonard S. Brinker

Leonard S. Brinker,92, of Washington, passed away on December 11, 2025. Mr. Brinker, son of the late Henry Brinker and Mary nee Hilke, was born on April 3, 1933, and was raised on a farm off of Bluff Road, west of Washington. He received his education from the Ziegenmeyer School in Washington. On April 8, 1953, he was united in marriage to Agnes Unnerstall at the St. Francis Borgia Church. In June of 1953 he was drafted into the Army and became a Sergeant in 1955. When he returned home, they bought a farm west of Washington, where they raised their nine children.

Leonard was employed by Petrolane Gas for 26 years as a gas bulk truck driver. He then went to night school at Ranken Technical College while working at Petrolane. On April 30, 1968, he graduated with a VAC, (Heating and Cooling) certification. He started his own business, “Leonards Appliance” in 1964, and went on his last service call at the age of 90. Leonard drove his truck, “Here Comes Leonard” on the front and “There Goes Leonard” on the back.

He started a large strawberry patch on the farm with the help of his children. People would place orders or pick their own. Leonard also put in a large garden every year for canning and supplied neighbors and friends with a lot of vegetables. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Leonard was a member of the St. Francis Borgia Church, becoming an usher in 1957. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, joining in 1951, later becoming Grand Knight in July of 1979.

Mr. Brinker was preceded in death by his parents; son, Thomas Brinker; brothers, Leander Brinker and wife Hilda, Virgil Brinker and wife Katherine, Sylvester Brinker and wife Georgia, Orville Brinker and wife Irene, Odilo Brinker and wife Florence, and Henry Brinker; sisters, Lidwina Schlitt and husband Joe, Eleanor Schlitt and husband Ed, Sister Odilo SSND, and Margaret Schade and husband Gilbert; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray Kreinkamp, Maurice Unnerstall and wife Janice, Norbert Unnerstall and wife Leola, Leo Unnerstall, and Bernice and Esther Unnerstall and great-grandsons, Kyle Elbert, Trevor Branson, and Calvin Brinker.

Among his survivors are his wife Agnes Brinker; sons, Jerry Brinker and wife Peggy, Tony Brinker and wife Tammy, Ray Brinker and wife Mary, and Matt Brinker and wife Debbie; daughters, Pat Long and husband Tom, Debbi Roetheli and husband Dave, Mardie Jasper and husband Mark, and Lucy Gildehaus and husband Mitch; sister, Olga Kreinkamp; sister-in-laws, Grace Brinker and Theola Unnerstall; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

A visitation will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, from 3-8 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. KC Rosary at 2:30 p.m. Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at St. Francis Borgia Church. Interment, with full military honors will be held at the St. Francis Borgia Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to Friends of Kids with Cancer, vEDS-Ehlers Danlos Society, or the Children’s Heart Foundation as these conditions have affected his great-grandchildren.

“There Goes Leonard”

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