Merrill Brink

Passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, September 22, 2016 at the age of 92. He was born October 5, 1923 in Kalamazoo to the late Herbert and Cora (Hycoop) Brink. He was united in marriage to Sandra Hollingshead-Blaine on October 9, 2001. Merrill served in the U.S. Navy in WWII, the Korean War and during Vietnam conflict. He retired at the rank of Lt. Commander. He was later employed with National Water Lift and was a real estate agent for many years until his retirement. He was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo. In his youth, he was proud to have been with St. Luke's Choir Boys. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, where he sang in the choir, the American Legion and the Retired Officers Association. He attended Kalamazoo College, Harvard and the University of Wisconsin. He was also a volunteer with the American Red Cross, where he went on many disaster relief trips. When he had the time, he enjoyed golf, bowling, visiting the casino and gathering with his family. Merrill is survived by his wife, Sandy Brink; children, Barbara Lettow, John (Cindy) Brink and Leslie (Mark) Warner; step-son, Brian (Becky) Blaine; 7 grandchildren, James (Heather) Lettow, Daniel (Hope) Warner, David (Holly) Brink, Drew Warner, Shawn Lettow, Eric (Kelly Koehrn) Brink, Jessie (Adam) Wolfe and Anna and Sammie Blaine; 5 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Alan Lincoln; and a niece and nephew. Merrill was preceded in death by his sisters, Donna (Ray) Pallister and Helen Lincoln. The family will greet friends on Monday, September 26th from 5-7pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St., where the funeral service will take place on Tuesday, September 27th, 11:00am. A private committal service will take place at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo. Memorials in Merrill's name may be directed to Talons Out Honor Flight, talonsouthonorflight.org or to the SPCA of SW Michigan. For obituary and condolences, please see Merrill's personalized page at www.langelands.com.