Ernest "Ernie" Brinkley

Ernest E. “Ernie” Brinkley, 88, of Milton, IN passed away on Friday, May 9, 2014 at Ambassador Nursing Home in Centerville.

He was born on September 20, 1925 north of Williamsburg to Omar and Cora Thompson Brinkley. After graduation from Williamsburg High School in 1943 he joined the U.S. Navy. During WWII he served on the USS Lake Champlain as a Petty Officer and electricians mate. Stationed in Plymouth, England, on the English Channel, he set, calibrated and repaired compasses and navigational systems on U.S. Navy destroyers.

After the war, under the G.I. Bill, he attended Ball State University and Purdue University graduating from the Purdue School of electrical engineering in 1951.

Ernie married Wanda Petty at Williamsburg Friends Church February 11, 1951 and began residence at Milton where he and his father built a new home for his growing family. Ernie continued to live there until his final illness.

Working as an electrical engineer and sales rep Ernie retired from GARCOR in 2007. He enjoyed traveling, particularly out west, reading, walking and puttering around the workshop on his projects.

Ernie was a member of the Williamsburg Friends Church, a charter member of the Williamsburg American Legion, former scoutmaster of the Milton Boy Scouts and former Sunday School teacher at the Milton Christian Church where he attended services for 60 years.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years Wanda Brinkley; sons Basil of Denver, CO, Brian (Lynne) of Frankfort, IN, Brent of Milton, IN and Bruce (Debra) of Marion, IN; grandchildren Andrea, Audrey, Amy, Clark and Cora; and nephew Ron Helm.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law Patti Brinkley; and his only sister Lois Helm.

Friends may gather at Milton Christian Church on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 from 12:00 noon until start of services at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow in Westside Cemetery in Milton. Rev. Tom Cici will be officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Milton Christian Church; Westside Cemetery Association; or Cambridge City Library.

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