Caleb Brinkley, 82, of Marion, formally of Chrisman and Olney, passed away Monday evening, Jan. 1, 2007, in his home.

He was born Sept. 8, 1924, in Olney, the son of Otis F. Brinkley and Ethel (Utz) Brinkley. Caleb was united in marriage to Mary Lou (Henard) on Nov. 10, 1945, in Olney. She survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, Brenda White of Nashville, Tenn.; grandson, Steven Brinkley; granddaughter, Shawn White; great-grandson, Caleb Joe Brinkley; sister, Evelyn Brown of Olney; two brothers, Harold Brinkley of Olney and Herman Brinkley of Lawrenceville; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Steven Brinkley; six brothers, Dale, Raymond, Frank, Gerald, George and James "Butch" Brinkley.

Caleb was a member of Olney High School class of 1942. Caleb was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran. He received his basic training in Colorado and Florida and was then deployed to Italy. He served in the European theater of operation during World War II for approximately two years prior to his discharge on Oct. 1, 1945. Caleb was a member of Chrisman American Legion 477 and Chrisman VFW Post 2876. Caleb was employed for approximately 43 years as a steam fitter in the construction industry prior to his retirement in September 1987. He traveled and worked in numerous states during his career, namely at Corpus Christi and Brownsville, Texas. He had been employed by Alan Construction Company and Morris Construction Company, as well as other construction firms throughout his career. Caleb was a member of the Olney Masonic Lodge 140 AF & AM for more than 50 years. He was a member of Marion First Baptist Church. Caleb was a skilled woodworker and enjoyed ballroom dancing and boating.

Funeral services in Marion First Baptist Church, with Dr. Joey Brent and the Rev. Kevin Coe will officiating. Interment  in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, near Buncombe, with military graveside rites by Heyde-Pillow VFW and Marion American Legion Posts.

Published in Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL) ~ January 3, 2007