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Obituary for Phyllis Brinkley
Phyllis Eileen (Bell) Brinkley, age 96, of Chrisman, IL, passed away June 14, 2017.
Phyllis was born October 13, 1920 in St Thomas Ontario, Canada to William and Lavella (Freele) Bell. She married Gerald V. Brinkley from Olney, IL on April 1942. He preceded her in death on June 6, 2000.
She graduated from St Thomas Collegiate Institute and Westervelt Business College in London Ontario, Canada. During World War II, she was employed by the Royal Canadian Airforce #1 Service Flying School in St Thomas, Ontario.
Phyllis was an accomplished basketball player. She met her husband, Gerald (Doc) Brinkley while he was stationed in Canada. Her basketball team competed against his Airforce team and Phyllis was the winner.
She studied US history and was very proud to become a United States Citizen on May 26, 1948.
She dearly loved her family and was an avid follower of all their activities. She excelled in typing and bookkeeping skills. She enjoyed reading and playing cards with her bridge club. Phyllis was a member of the Chrisman United Methodist Church.
She is survived by two sons: Jerry (Allie) Brinkley of Denver, CO and William (Christi) Brinkley of Chrisman, IL; two daughters: Peggy (Kevin) Tingley of Reno, NV and Betty (Alex) Winn of Reno, NV; ten grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Krabel Funeral Home. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery. For those who wish, memorials may be made in her name to the Chrisman United Methodist Church or the Chrisman Public Library.
