Merle Bruce Brinkworth

In Loving Memory of
Merle Bruce Brinkworth
age 89
Merle was predeceased by his wife Marlene,
 as well as his son Murray.  
He is lovingly remembered by his 
children Donna and Ken, as well as their families. 

Died
March 13, 2021
Rock Lake Personal Care Home
Pilot Mound, Manitoba 

In accordance with Merle’s wishes 
a private graveside service will be 
held at Greenwood Cemetery 
Pilot Mound, Manitoba. 

Donations in memory of Merle may be made to the Rock Lake Personal Care Home c/o
Rock Lake Health District Foundation 
Box 130 Crystal City, Manitoba R0K 0N0. 

Merle Bruce Brinkworth of Rock Lake Personal Care Home passed away peacefully on March 13, 2021 at the age of 89.

Merle Bruce Brinkworth: was born on Feb 21, 1932 in Baldur, Mb., at a place called Holmes Nursing Home.  He was the eldest son of Jack & Gertrude. He grew up with siblings Melvin, Don, Marjorie, and Lois. He lived on the family farm and took his education at Wigton School, from the age of 6 until 15 (Grade 9).

He then worked on the farm until Nov.1949 when he travelled to Flin Flon, Mb. to work at H.B.M.S.  In the spring of 1951 he travelled to Wpg. where he wrote and passed all the tests for enlisting in the Navy.  He then returned home to the farm and told his father, who wasn’t very pleased.  His father stated that if he wanted to enlist that he’d have to go in to the Air Force, thinking that he’d fail these entrance tests.  He then travelled to Brandon and wrote the entry test passing everything.  

He met his future wife Marlene @ a baseball game in Glenora July 11, 1951. On July 25, 1951 he reported to St. Jeans, Quebec for basic training in the Air Force.  He went to Alymer, Ont. for trade training for three months in operator/mechanic of mobile equipment.  He then travelled to Greenwood, Nova Scotia in Jan. and was stationed there until Feb. 1953.  He was then transferred to Germany #3 fighter wing in Zweibrucken and remained there until Feb. 1955 when he was transferred to Mount Hope, Ont. (Hamilton). He always talked fondly of his time in Europe!

He travelled home on a month’s leave and on Feb 10, 1955 he proposed to Marlene. They were married on July 23, 1955.  All their children (Donna, Murray, Kenneth) were born while residing in Hamilton. 

They moved to 7 Isles, Quebec in 1960, then on to Moise, Quebec for 5 yrs. Later travelling to Falcon Bridge, Ont. to a radar base.

While home on holidays in Aug 1965 they purchased the General grocery store from George & Ida Wilson calling it M&M Brinkworth’s.  It included a post office and gas pumps. Marlene and the kids stayed behind and ran the store while Merle returned to Sudbury until his release in Feb. 1966. At which time he was given another transfer to Armstrong, Ont. where he would be in isolation for 6 months and could not take the family so decided to take an early release.

They built a new general store in 1967 and converted the old store into their living quarters.  Merle started driving school bus from Glenora to Pilot Mound in 1969. In 1970 a new home was moved onto the property beside the store.

Merle also worked for the Gov’t Provincial Park at Rock Lake for 10 yrs, as well as Cavers Grove campground.  The grocery store was sold in 1984 after 20 yrs.  In 1985 he built a ceramic shop/building on the lot where the old store/house had been located. Working and teaching classes until it was sold in 1989. 

 In 1998 Merle retired from bus driving after 29 years of service. They sold their home in Glenora and semi-retired to a 2 acre home 4 miles from Pilot Mound. They resided there for 8 yrs. Oct. 2007 they moved into Legion housing in Morden residing there (7yrs) until the passing of his wife Marlene.  In Sept. 2015 he moved back to Pilot Mound residing in an independent living apartment. He continued to live there until Sept. 2017 when due to increasing signs of dementia he was moved to the Rock Lake Personal Care Home until his passing.

Merle was a Legion member for 54 yrs., involved with Horticultural Society, and Good Sam’s.

He is survived by his brother Don (Gwen), sisters Marjorie, and Lois (Ron), daughter Donna (Doug) and son Kenneth (Bev), 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, numerous nieces & nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife Marlene of 59 yrs. (2014) and son Murray (2012).

A private family service will be held at a later date.

If you so wish please send memorial donations to Rock Lake Personal Care Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Merle Bruce Brinkworth, please visit our floral store.