Cynthia "Cindy" Brinker

Cynthia "Cindy" Louise Brinker, 74, of Warren, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. She was born February 16, 1952, in Hazel Green, WI. to James Joseph and Mary "Delores" (McKillip) Murphy. She attended Holy Rosary Catholic School in Darlington, WI as well as Gratiot High School. She later went on to receive her Associate Degree in education. On February 23, 1968, she married Joseph "Joe" Brinker at St. Joseph's Church in Gratiot and together they raised their Family in Warren, IL.

Cindy was a wonderful mom and stayed home to raise their kids until they were older. She was a "mom" to her kids' friends, and her home always had a few extra kids hanging out. She provided a home where everyone felt loved and safe. She then went on to work as a teller for Citizen's bank in Warren, IL until she transferred to First Bank of Freeport where she worked as a manager. In the late 1990's she moved to Toulon, IL where she became a proud co-owner and operator of the Indian Creek Vineyard and Bed & Breakfast. She always enjoyed hosting their guests and working in the vineyard. She loved learning the process of making their own wine.

She eventually moved back to Warren in her later years and wrote short stories for the Flash, worked for Colony Brands/Occasions, H&R Block, and was a paraprofessional/ aid for the Blackhawk School District. She moved to Colorado for a couple of years to be a nanny for to a friend's little girls. Cindy eventually came back "home" to Warren to be near her family for the remainder of her life. Cindy loved her community and spent several years working as the village clerk, and in her retirement, worked as a greeter for the Leamons Funeral Home. She was a member of the Warren United Methodist Church.

Cindy was a friend to everyone. She and some of her close friends had a card club. They spent hours laughing and having fun. Joe, Cindy and their family also camped with a close-knit group of friends at Apple River State Park. In her younger years she and friends were avid runners. Cindy always enjoyed the company of others, whether it was a phone call or a visit over a glass of wine, her friends brought her joy.

Cindy loved her family. You could often find her going out to lunch with her sisters, making a visit to her brother, or chatting with any one of them on the phone. Her sisters were also her travel buddies. She took many trips with them out west or even local day trips. Last year she took her dream trip to Ireland to learn of their heritage.

Most of all, she lived for her grandchildren. She was at every event they were involved in. She loved reading to them when they were little and spending every moment, she could with them when they grew up. Cindy looked forward to becoming a Great-Grandma this coming spring.

She is survived by her 2 children- Carey (Jamie) Wolff of Warren, IL, and Michael (Nicole) Brinker of Petaluma, CA; 2grandsons- Kyle (Laurel) Wolff and Mitchell (Kendra Haldiman) Wolff of Warren, IL; bonus grandchildren- Janelle (Jim) Jaeggi of Monroe, WI and their children- Jamison, Lily and Layla, Jacob (Stephanie) Wolff of Warren, IL and their children- Leah, Elaina, and Mia; brother-James Murphy; sister- Sharon (Darryle) Burmeister, Nita (Gary) Gilbertson, Becky (Greg) Ochsner and Mary (Keith) Downs; brother-in-law- Kenneth (Kay) Brinker; as well as many niece, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph in 1987, infant son John David in 1968, her in-laws Gene and Joyce Brinker and sister-in-law Nancy Murphy.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Warren United Methodist Church.

A Celebration of Cindy's Life will be held immediately following the service until 4:00 pm at the Pecatonica Tap House in Warren, IL.

She would not want sadness, rather joy and celebration of a life well lived.

Pastor Matt Smith will be officiating the services.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

Cindy will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill in Freeport, IL next to her husband Joseph.

A memorial has been established in her memory.