John Wilson Brinkley, 68, formerly of the Jonesboro area, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 at Mena Medical Center.

He was born on June 27, 1939 in Otwell to the late James and Marie Brinkley. He attended Trumann High School. He retired after 26 years with the United States Navy. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Brinkley was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Mena. His family said, "he was our hero."

Survivors include two daughters, Sue Key of Grand Prairie, Tex. and Doris Ruskin and her husband, Kenneth, of Bellaire, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Kenneth Ruskin Jr., Brandy Brinkley, Jennifer Winshull, Buffie Mitchell, Amanda Little, John Dukeshire and Randall Lawrence; a brother, Paul Dean Brinkley; three sisters, Virginia "Grace" Shassere, Mary Cynthia Colona and Joanna Hammell and eleven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah Brinkley; a son, David Preston Brinkley; a daughter, Debra Kay Dukeshire; three brothers, Richard Leon Brinkley, Joseph John Brinkley and Jimmy Rufus Brinkley; two sisters, Helen Marie Brinkley and Alverna May Hetland.

A celebration of his life was Monday, Nov. 26, 2007 at the Gregg Funeral Home in Jonesboro with Rev. Bobby Brooks officiating and burial will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.

Honored to serve as pallbearers were Kenneth Ruskin, Jr., John Dukeshire, Randall Lawrence, Ricci Waugh, Tom Dukeshire, Kevin Winshull and Rick LaBoon Jr.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Brinkley family at www.greggfunerals.com