Anthony Brinkman

Anthony (Tony) Brinkman lost his final race on July 3, 2026, to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with Richter’s Transformation. He outran it far longer than expected through clinical studies, CAR-T, and a bone marrow transplant at the Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital. He was the medical world's data maker, our superman.

He was born in Muncie on October 1, 1957, to Franklyn and Patricia Brinkman, graduated from Yorktown High School in 1975, and married Ellen Ade on May 19, 1979.

He opened the doors to Brinkman's (Buster Brown) Shoe Center in 1976 with his father and closed them 42 years later. He felt so fortunate to truly love every day at the shop. Tony had a great faith and trusted his life to God. He loved the state of Michigan, to run, cycle, paddle, hike, work on his old house, listen to baseball on the radio, Ball State sports, and travel. Together, he and Ellen ran a marathon in every state as well as the original course in Greece. Tony ran a 100K trail run two months prior to his diagnosis.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen, of 47 years, siblings Patti Brinkman, Carole (Gary) DeHaven, Karen (Fred Feick) Pickering, Frank (Gay) Brinkman, Brian (Tina) Brinkman, Lisa (Tom) Smith, Bill (Cindy) Ade, Jeanne (Mike) Kelly, Tom (Bev) Ade and several nieces and nephews. He was loved and supported by many special and wonderful friends.

Per Tony's wishes, cremation will take place. Private services and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

A special thanks to all the hematology and bone marrow transplant physicians, nurses and the entire dedicated staff at the James who took tremendous care of Tony and who are some of the most intelligent people in the world of blood cancer. As soon as we entered the doors, we were greeted with love and became family. We were blessed, we became Buckeyes!

Donations in memory of Tony can be made to the donor's charity of choice. Parson's Mortuary has been entrusted with his wishes.

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