Ethel Brinks

Ethel Brinks, 81, of South Haven, Michigan died on September 6, 2009 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was born on July 11, 1928 to Henry and Eva (Walters) Nienhuis in Holland, Michigan. Ethel married Gerald Brinks on March 29, 1946 in South Haven, Michigan. In addition to working other various jobs in the South Haven Area, Ethel work as a bookkeeper for Brinks Bros and Son Well Drilling. She was an excellent cook and she loved canning. She also enjoyed bowling.

Ethel is preceded in death by her parents and her son – Preston Brinks and her daughter – Cynthia Brinks. Two brothers – Gordon “Whitey” Nienhuis and Roger Nienhuis. One sister - Beverly Schaafsma and her son-in-law, Robert Fritz

She is survived by her husband – Gerald Brinks of South Haven, Michigan. Her son – Tim (Gail) Brinks of South Haven, Michigan. Her daughters – Geraldine (Paul) Ignelzi of South Haven, Michigan, Carolyn (Clayton) McNeal of Las Vegas, Nevada and Cheryl Fritz of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her brothers – John (Dorothy) Nienhuis of Hart, Michigan, Lavern (Joyce) Nienhuis of Holland, Michigan and Dale (Chris) Nienhuis of Zeeland, Michigan. One sister-in-law – Norma Nienhuis of South Haven, Michigan. Seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three step great grand children.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 9, from 6-8 PM at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Funeral service will be on Thursday, September 10 at 12:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to American Diabetes Association or to a charity of your choice. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven at 637-0333.