Sheridan Brinker 82, died peacefully, January 2, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. Sheridan was born August 13, 1941, in Lena, IL, to Ivan and Gladys (Medeke) Brinker. He attended Warren and Lena schools and graduated from Lena High School in 1959. He loved cars and learned to work on them at several garages in the area. After serving his country in the Air Force, where he met his wife Marybeth, he continued his education at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. He and his wife returned to Lena where they raised three awesome sons.  In 1986 he opened Brinker's Pit Stop and served as a bus mechanic for The Lena-Winslow School District.

He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting in Montana, fishing on Lake Michigan and in Canada. Later he bought land in Lena on which he planted over two thousand trees to create a tree farm. On his land he built a log cabin and expanded a pond for ducks and geese. He was recognized by the Department of Natural Resources for Wildlife Conservation Management.

He is survived by his wife Marybeth; sons- Chris (Angie) of Lena, Tom Brinker of Rockton, and Erick (Nettie) of Winnebago; eight grandchildren- Colton, Ashtyn, Hanna, Abby, Eme, Olivia, Sydney, and Sawyer Brinker; sister Anita Bonebright; brothers Robert (Vikki) Brinker and Scott (Cathy) Brinker all of Lena; brother and sister in-laws Edith (Edwin) Jones, Thomas (Tina) Pye; sisters-in-law Linda Pye, Miriam (Curt) Breneman; many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law Larry Bonebright and David Pye; nephew Sean Breneman.

Special thanks to Anita, Mimsy, and Jen for their unwavering love and support. Also, thank you to all the staff of FHN Hospice, and the VA in Madison and Freeport.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lena.

A Funeral Service to follow at 3:00 p.m. with a Fellowship to follow.

Pastor Thomas Mosbo will officiate the service.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Parkinson's Foundation and Good Shepherd Church.