Final Salute

BRINKMAN, Harry J., age 94, of Waynesville and formerly of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.

Harry proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict as a seabee. He began his career at the Campbell Soup factory before switching to manufacturing automotive products. He retired from Cleveite/Tenneco in Napoleon in 1995. He was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Napoleon.

He enjoyed being with family, working in his shop on Simplicity garden tractors, listening to music, and traveling around town in his red Ford Ranger pick-up truck.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen A. Brinkman, in 2013; his daughter, Elaine Hulin; his parents, Harry and Mary Brinkman; five brothers, Cornelius Brinkman, Tom Brinkman, August Brinkman, Paul Brinkman, and Robert Brinkman; and four sisters, Alvira Dangler, Lucy Bellman, Philomina Lentz, and Betty Kohlhorst. He is survived by his three daughters, Cindy Small, Jenny (Tom) Parker, and Diane Brinkman; one son, Jim Brinkman; eight grandchildren, Todd Small, Chelsea (Ron) Francis, Patrick (Madison) Small, Scott (Kelsey) Parker, Madison Parker, Callie Brinkman, Bailey Brinkman, and Tate Brinkman; eight great-grandchildren, Peyton, Zaiden, Brooklyn, Adalyn, Madilyn, Jackson, Bennett, and Avery; and one brother, John Brinkman.

A memorial gathering will be from 1 – 4 pm Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home in Napoleon, Ohio. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is serving the family. Condolences may be made at https://www.stubbsconner.com.
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