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Ed was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Launa (nee Sinclair) Brinley for over 61 years. He was a caring father to Angela (Joe) Tyron of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, Dianna (Keith) Perren of Ware, Missouri, and Mark (Christine) Brinley of Imperial, Missouri. He loved spending time with his eight grandchildren: Katelyn (Matt) Bilin, Nathan (Lauren) Tyron, Madelyn (Austin) Wilfong, Hannah (Matt) Pierce, Jaclyn (Joe) Thomas, Morgan Brinley, Zachary Perren, and Graham Brinley. He delighted in his five great-grandchildren: Jameson, Juno, Grayson, Autumn, Idun, and another on the way. Extended family included five nephews, three nieces and numerous great nieces and great nephews and many cousins.

Having grown up on a farm, Ed was a country boy through and through, and in his heart, he never left that farm. His treasured memories included long float trips on the Big River, catching countless fish and camping out on the riverside, eating pawpaws that tasted something like banana custard, walking through a beautiful field of bluebells, family reunions, and most of all, the countless stories of life on the farm. His great love of the farm led him to a passion for gardening, where he proudly grew a wide variety of vegetables like tomatoes, green beans, peas, and zucchini — lots of zucchini. Growing up, Ed’s children would help snap green beans for canning and would enjoy his homemade zucchini pancakes and zucchini bread, which he often made for the grandkids during sleepovers.

Not long after high school, Ed began a career as a design engineer for Missouri Boiler and Nooter Companies in St. Louis where he worked for 40 years. Perhaps the most memorable aspects of his work career, however, were the bowling leagues, golf and ping pong tournaments, and the many friends he made there throughout the years.

In 1962, Ed and Launa were wed in Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Potosi, Missouri. Their marriage was a beautiful tapestry woven with love, trust, respect, and was an unbreakable bond built on their shared faith in God. They stood side by side, taking great joy in the good times, drawing strength from one another in the hard times, and simply making each other happy. Together they created a nurturing and loving Christian home where their children, Angela, Dianna, and Mark, were raised with care, kindness, and a deep appreciation for Christian values and the importance of family.

Ed was a lifelong member of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church. Like his father before him, he served as a deacon in the church, even serving alongside his father for a period of time. If the church doors were open, that’s where you would find him. It would not be unusual to see his wife and kids waiting for him in the car while he chatted away with others after Sunday and Wednesday evening services. He served the church in a wide variety of roles, including teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, leading bible studies, heading up the cemetery committee, and visiting shut-ins. He enjoyed pitching in horseshoe tournaments, and playing/coaching many winning seasons in the church softball league. In his later years, he and Launa would serve together, leading children to Christ through their work in Awanas and Good News Club after-school program. Perhaps his greatest achievement as a Christian and a father is that he and Launa took their children with them to church, giving them a firm faith foundation that they all share and build on today.

Ed was a huge fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, a passion that became a beloved family tradition. He would always have the game playing on KMOX or on the TV, or he would take the family to Busch Stadium to see a game. His love for the Cardinals became more than just a shared interest; it became a bond that strengthened family ties and created cherished memories.

Ed devoted himself to the service of others. A soft-spoken man, he was always willing and able to help and serve in any way he could, whether with the church, his family, or friends. For those who knew him best, Ed was delightfully quirky, sporting a dry sense of humor that would often have you doubled over in laughter. He never met a stranger, and was gifted with the ability to find common interests and carry on a conversation with just about anyone. He loved a good conversation on anything from biblical theology to making the perfect cast at a favorite fishing hole to good ol’ Western and sci-fi movies to politics.

Ed was truly a great man whose impact will be forever felt by his family and friends. His kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him and he will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Pilgrim’s Rest Memorial Gardens, 11441 Ware Church Road, Hillsboro, MO 63050.