Charles (Charley) Brinley Obituary

William Charles "Charley" Brinley, age 60, a lifelong resident of South Bend, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2012, surrounded by his family.

Born on September 23, 1952, in St. Joseph's Hospital, South Bend, he was the son of Wilson J. Brinley and Eleanor (Lewiecki) Brinley (Poulin) both of whom predeceased him, Wilson in June of 1974 and Eleanor in December of 2007.

He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Marion and Mary (Terlecki) Lewiecki and paternal grandparents, Edward Charles and Daisy M. (Fuqua) Brinley as well as many, many aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Survivors include children, Wilson Jay (Laura) Brinley of Kenosha, WI, Kristin (Brendan) DeMeester of South Bend, IN and their son, Jonah, Carly Ashley of South Bend, IN, and her children, J.J. and Calleigh, and Charles (Chad) Brinley of South Bend, IN; two sisters, Elizabeth Strauss of Orange Park, FL, and her family, son, James J. Strauss III, and daughter, Rebecca Strauss Jordan (Alan), and their children, Cassandra, Danielle and Edward Jordan all of Orange Park, FL; Sandra BrinleyMediavilla, of Naples, FL, and her family, son, Leo P. Mediavilla, Jr., and his son, Jazen Mediavilla of Naples, FL, daughter, Sarah E. (Mediavilla) Woelfer (W. Todd) and their daughters, Mia and Maren Woelfer of Granger, IN; a nephew, Charles (Charlie) BrinleyMediavilla of Naples, FL; last living uncle and aunt, Edward and Virginia Lewiecki of Hingham, MA; as well as many cousins throughout the U.S.; and by his dear friend and caretaker Marilyn Miosi. 

Charley was a 1970 graduate of LaSalle High School and a 1974 graduate of Manchester College, Manchester, IN where he played on the soccer team. During his senior year in college, he was fortunate to be able to travel to Europe, visiting Paris, Great Britain, Austria, and Germany among others. He always said Austria was his favorite of them all. Charley had a great love of cars, especially Corvettes, which he would buy, sell, and trade. He also loved working on cars, spending hours repairing any of his automobiles that needed repairing, a trait inherited from his father, Wilson. Charley worked at Gurley Leep in Mishawaka as a Service Writer until his eyesight began to fail him. He was a member of Corpus Christi Church. He also was a volunteer with Reins of Life until his health prevented him from doing that. While he lost many close friends during his lifetime, he leaves behind more close friends and loved ones than can be counted. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Throughout his life and illness, he was always cheerful on the outside, though suffering and struggling on the inside. 

A brief prayer service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 17, 2012, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N, Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN, where visitation will follow until 4 p.m. At 4 p.m. there will be a time of sharing for anyone who would like to honor Charley. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. 

He was a loving son, brother, uncle and father. God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around you, and whispered "Come to Me." With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A loving heart stopped beating. Hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. Your suffering is over, but our loss of you in our lives will never end. We'll see you in heaven some day. 

07/17/2019 JFC