Alvin Paul Brinkman

Alvin P. Brinkman, age 84 of Aura passed away on Monday, December 17, 2007 at Marquette General Hospital.

He was born on February 6, 1923 in Redridge, Michigan son of William and Emma (Mueller) Brinkman. He grew up in Redridge then went to a CC camp. Alvin was in the US Navy during WWII and was a "plank owner"; as he was upon the USS South Dakota for its entire commission. Alvin then entered the Merchant Marines. He worked in the Calumet & Hecla Mine, and then at the airport. In 1985 Alvin retired from Burrough's Corporation, now Unisys, after working there for 35 years. He married Carolyn Fay Otterbein on December 24, 1980 in Livonia, MI. They moved to Aura in 1989. Alvin enjoyed the outdoors and hunting. His passion was stream fishing. He was also a pilot.

He was a life member of the VFW Post 3897 in L'Anse, life member of the L'Anse Masonic Lodge #547 F & AM, and a member of the Eastern Star Maplewood Chapter in L'Anse.

Surviving are his wife Carolyn of Aura; sons Michael Roger (Lori) Brinkman of Columbus, MI, David Bailey of Detroit, MI; three grandchildren, Chelsea and Andrew Bailey, and Sara Szilagy; nephew Earl (Charlotte) Brinkman of Houghton; many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents; four brothers, Andrew, Bill, Chester, Carl; five sisters, Violet, Elfrieda, Bertha, Lucille, and Lena.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 22nd, at 3:00 pm at the Jacobson Funeral Home. Rev. Scott William will officiate. Visitation will be from 1-3:00 pm at the funeral home. The Baraga County Area Veterans will conduct military rites at 1:00 pm under the direction of the American Legion Post 444 in Baraga; the L'Anse Masonic Lodge #547 F&AM will conduct a service at 2:00 pm; and the Eastern Star Maplewood Chapter 511 will conduct a service at 2:15 pm. A luncheon and fellowship will follow in the Sharing Room at the funeral home hosted by the Aura Axillaries. Burial will be in the spring in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Michigan Kidney Foundation or the Beacon House in Marquette. The Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.