Virginia Mae Brinkman

Virginia Mae Brinkman, 93, of Payson, Illinois, peacefully left this world October 17, 2025, at her home, surrounded by family. Virginia was born December 7, 1931, in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Noah Meloy and Eleanor Agatha Peter Stahl. She married Leroy Edward Brinkman on September 28, 1949, at Notre Dame Catholic Church in LaGrange, Missouri. He preceded her in death on October 14, 2021. Virginia attended Walnut Grove, a one-room school house south of LaGrange, Missouri, through the eighth grade. She graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School in 1949. Virginia worked at Tenks Hardware before she married Leroy. Later, she was a waitress at the Green Parrot in Fall Creek on weekends. She retired from J.C. Penney in 1993 after 16 years. After retirement she volunteered at the Ladies of Charity, including serving as bookkeeper. She was accomplished at sewing and crochet. Over the years, Virginia crocheted afghan blankets for all of her children and grandchildren. She was an exceptional cook and baker and beautifully decorated cakes for her family. Virginia enjoyed gardening with her husband, Leroy. They were known for their strawberry patch. Virginia put to use her canning skills to preserve foods from their garden to enjoy all year long. She was a devoted wife and a loving mother and grandmother who cherished times spent with her family. She enjoyed attending sporting events to watch her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Virginia and Leroy were members of St. Boniface Catholic Church; after its closing, they became members of St. Francis Solanus Church Survivors include 14 children and their families, Stanley (Joan) Brinkman and children Jean (Justin) Oenning and Shawn; Steven (Linda) Brinkman and children Chad, Troy (Monica) and Lance (Margaret); Marlene Graham and children Clint (Jo), Cristall and Curtis (Kristin); grandchildren Kim (Shawn Buchanan) Sparks, Craig (Nikki) Brinkman and Amy Brinkman; Rodney (Amy Willer) Brinkman and children Anne (Heidi Carr), Adam (Brittany) and Austin (Krissy); Leann Behymer and children Jason Lewton, Anna (James) Lemon and Brian (Michel) Lewton; Cherlyn (Randy) Davis; Charlene Brinkman and children Eric (Angie), Jonathan (Alyssia Comley) and Justin (Kelsey) Davis; Kristy (Mark) Jeffers; Kathy Finley and children Marie, Dan (Sarah), Ross (Rose), Jay (Erica) and Jack (Gabrielle); Brinton (Rhonda) Brinkman and children Allison and Kaitlyn (Gavin) Griffin; Bruce (Rita) Brinkman and children Dustin, Bethany and Ryan; Rebecca (Steve) Conrad and children Kayla (Mark) Hoerr and Klayton (Shelby); Leroy "Butch" (Rhonda) Brinkman and children Noah (Lacey), Sam and Lauren; and Virginia "Linn" (Jim) Dingerson and children Nicholas and Danielle. Also surviving are four step-grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a brother, Elias Meloy "Bud" Stahl; and three sisters, Joan Cannady, Kathleen Dietrich, and Florence (Norbert) Dreyer. In addition to her husband Leroy, Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; a son and his wife, Randy and Sandy Brinkman; three sons-in-law, Terry Graham, Bill Behymer and Charles Finley; a granddaughter, Baby Girl Brinkman; a grandson, Alan Lewton; a great-granddaughter and two great-grandsons, sisters Rosalyn (Eugene) Dreyer, Norma Jean (Kenneth) Obert, two brothers-in-law, Raymond Cannady and Maurice Dietrich; and a sister-in-law, Theresa Stahl. In her final years, Virginia was given exceptional care by Matt Hanlin and the staff at Blessing Hospice, and the family wishes to express their gratitude. Visitation: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Services: 9:00 a.m. at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home followed by 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church with Rev. Steven Arisman officiating. Burial: Following services, at Calvary Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois Memorials: Blessing Foundation for Hospice or St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Memorial donations may be made online at: https://memorials.hansenspear.com/. www.hansenspear.com Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.