- Date Of Birth: October 5, 1923
- Date Of Death: September 22, 2016
- State: Michigan
Merrill J. Brink passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, September 22, 2016, at the age of 92.
He was born October 5, 1923, in Kalamazoo to the late Herbert and Cora (Hycoop) Brink.
He was united in marriage to Sandra Hollingshead-Blaine on October 9, 2001. Merrill served in the U.S. Navy in WWII, the Koran War and during the Vietnam conflict. He retired at the rank of Lt. Commander. He was later employed with National Water Lift and was a real estate agent for many years until his retirement. He was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo. In his youth, he was proud to have been with St. Luke’s Choir Boys. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, where he sang in the choir, the American Legion and the Retired Officers Association. He attended Kalamazoo College, Harvard and the University of Wisconsin. He was also a volunteer with the American Red Cross, where he went on many disaster relief trips. When he had the time, he enjoyed golf, bowling, visiting the casino and gathering with his family.
Merrill is survived by his wife, Sandy Brink; children, Barbara Lettow, John (Cindy) Brink and Leslie (Mark) Warner; step-son, Brian (Becky) Blaine; 9 grandchildren, James (Heather) Lettow, Daniel (Hope) Warner, David (Holly) Brink, Drew Warner, Shawn Lettow, Eric (Kelly Koehrn) Brink, Jessie (Adam) Wolfe and Anna and Sammie Blaine; 5 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Alan Lincoln; and a niece and nephew.
Merrill was preceded in death by his former wife of 30 years, Frances J. Brink and sisters, Donna (Ray) Pallister and Helen Lincoln.
