Blaine J. Brooks

07/25/1937 - 02/17/2004

Blaine J. Brooks, 66, of Connellsville, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 25, 1937, in Normalville, a son of the late J. Melvin and Ruth Firestone Brooks. Blaine was a resident and local businessman of Connellsville. Mr. Brooks was the owner and manager of Brooks Camper Sales for 37 years. He was a retired drafting teacher for 25 years at Central Westmoreland Vo-Tech School. He was a former employee at Rockwell for 10 years. Blaine was a 1955 graduate of Connellsville Joint High School. He graduated from Penn State McKeesport with a mechanical engineering degree and went on to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a teaching degree. Mr. Brooks served in the National Reserve, Company B, #429. He was a lifelong member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher for many years and where he held many church offices. He was a member of the Pleasant Valley Country Club, The Odd Fellows of Connellsville, Lodge #386, the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and the Fayette County Association of School Retirees. Above all else, Blaine adored his loving wife, children and their families. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Wanda Burkholder Brooks; a son, Eric Brooks and his wife, Tammy, of Connellsville; three daughters, Jody Bryner and her husband, David, of Connellsville, Lori Miller and her husband, Keith, of Connellsville, and Rana Keffer and her husband, James "Bo," of Connellsville; 10 grandchildren, Briana, Erica and Garrett Brooks, Brandon and Brooke Bryner, Travis, Dylan and Logan Miller, and Marissa and Bailey Keffer; two sisters, Norma May and her husband, Graydon, of Mill Run, and Debbie Whaley and her husband, Steve, of Spring Hill, Fla.; and two brothers, Ronald Brooks and his wife, Carolyn, of Connellsville, and Samuel Brooks and his wife, Marti, of Palm Coast, Fla. Blaine enjoyed golfing, NASCAR racing, sports and mostly being able to be part of his grandchildren's activities and sports. Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, where services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. John Zimmerman and the Rev. Mark Sholtis co-officiating. Interment will follow in Indian Creek Baptist Cemetery, Mill Run. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, in care of Wanda Brooks, 2583 Springfield Pike, Connellsville, PA 15425. A special thanks to Albert Gallatin Hospice for all of their kindness and care. www.brooksfuneralhomes.com