James Alan Brinkman

James Alan Brinkman, age 84, of Hillsboro, Illinois, was surrounded by his family at his time of passing on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 5:45 a.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, Illinois. Funeral Services for Mr. Brinkman will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service and burial will be held at Wares Grove Cemetery in Butler, Illinois. Rev. Stefan Munker, Pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, Illinois will be officiating.

James was born at home on the family farm in Greene, Iowa, on November 23, 1940, to the late Henry and Rose (Hirsch) Brinkman. He was the third youngest of twelve children in a blended family. He attended a one room schoolhouse for the first six years and then started at a town school in 6th grade; he was active in football and was an All-Conference fullback his sophomore, junior, and senior year and All-State honorable mention his senior year. As a star athlete in high school, he was also a dedicated student in the classroom, some of his favorite memories were being elected to the student council, junior class president, Winter Dance king his senior year, and giving a speech at his graduation. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, Illinois; serving as council president and secretary, each for six years and a Scout Master for 25 years for the church sponsored troop, where he was awarded a silver beaver from the Abraham Lincoln Scout Council. Mr. Brinkman was also awarded the Service of Mankind Award from the Hillsboro Sertoma Club, and he was a 19-gallon blood donor. James was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Whitetails Unlimited and a current member of the NRA. Mr. Brinkman was an Army veteran, serving at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and one year being stationed in Korea. After receiving an honorable discharge, James pursued his career at Lutheran Brotherhood Life and Health Insurance for 43 years. His hobbies included gardening, canning, and hunting until he was 81 years old. 

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen (Bowman) Brinkman; sons, Neil (wife, Karla) Brinkman and Mark (wife, Linda) Brinkman; grandchildren, Savannah Brinkman, Chloe Brinkman, Andrew (wife, Katelyn) Brinkman; step-grandchildren, Kayla Throne, Casey Throne, Josh Pool, and Jessie Pool; sister, Janet (husband, Denny) Matkins. Mr. Brinkman is preceded by his parents, nine brothers, and one sister.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or Wares Grove Veteran Memorial.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Alan Brinkman, please visit our floral store.