Birth date: Jan 5, 1952 Death date: Nov 20, 2021
Decatur – Stephen A. Brinkoetter, 69, of Bloomington, formerly of Decatur, passed away Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL. Steve was born on January 5, 1952, in Alton, IL, the son of Willi Read Obituary
I was looking for my father’s obituary and was shocked to see Steve’s and to read that
Greg also had passed away. Steve was my second date—his friend Dave Wuellner the first. He taught me how to drive before I turned 16. I am so sorry to read this news. I used to see Bill in Champaign occasionally but haven’t seen him in awhile although I read about him in the paper one time! My condolences to your whole family. What’s Lisa up to these days?
Mary Rudolph House
Darbe: I was so sorry to hear about the death of Stephen. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Michael Schmitz
First met Steve while working in a food service at EIU in 1973, late that fall we became roommates and then along came Darbe and Jackie, we married a year apart and each of us had three kids close to the same age. When the kids were young we started vacationing together and we've vacationed together for 40 years, as late as this past August. It has been a blessing to have a friend like Steve for over 48 years, we had a lot of great times together, he will be greatly missed. Steve and Jackie Swango
Our condolences and heart felt prayers to you and your family. May God’s love & peace surround you always .
You are loved, Bruce & Debra Behme
Steve was my boss at Tate and Lyle mailroom, he was a person that didn’t know when he was serious always kept a straight face. This was a real surprise to hear this. He was a true Cubs fan and I was a Cards fan every year since he retired we made wagers on the games between these two teams, last couple years I came out ahead, I am sure going to miss these wagers when ball season starts up again RIP Steve
During these last few years Steve and I had spent a significant amount of time together, nearly weekly, chasing crappies at Lake Shelbyville, Illinois. The very first time out, Steve had missed a number of bites, yanking up up an empty hook (no fish). After become frustrated with missing these bites, he began slapping the water with his rod-tip with each subsequent miss. Well, after witnessing this several slapping of the water with his pole episodes, I advised him how embarrassing it was for me to witness these outburst of obvious anger on his part over some little fish 😉🤣. With that Brinkoetter scowl, he advised me I would need to find someone else to fish with.
From that moment forward, I was subjected to Steve's rath for my every blunder, which were many, while we fished together. Steve was my best fishing partner ever, and will be missed every day, especially when I’m on the water.
Have good fishing up there in Heaven Steve. With the Lords blessing, I’ll meet you on the water again.
