Robin Lynne Carpenter, 62, of Kell passed away Sunday, December 19, 2021, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. She was born on August 4, 1959, the daughter of Albert Robert and Ruby Ethel (Wiggins) Carpenter in Centralia. She married the love of her life, Kerry Brink on May 1, 1982, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia and he survives in Kell.
Along with her husband of 39 years, Kerry Brink, Robin is survived by her mother-in-law, Ruth Brink of Sandoval; brothers, George Carpenter and wife Carolyn of Centralia, and Patrick Carpenter of Centralia; brothers-in-law, Gregg Brink and wife Carole of Sandoval, and Kevin Brink and wife Jennifer of Nashville; and many nieces and nephews.
Robin was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Ruby Carpenter; brothers, John Carpenter and wife Judy, Howard Joel “Bud” Dempsey; her sister, Christina Jean Dempsey Peek; and father-in-law, Melvin Brink.
Robin was a faithful member of Salem Lutheran Church. She had natural athletic abilities that she put to good use on the Centralia High School basketball courts, as she was on the first Orphan Annie’s team. She was proud to help them place fourth in the very first IHSA girl’s State basketball tournament, winning seventeen games while losing only three. She went on to play basketball at Kaskaskia College in Centralia. She valued education and earned her degree at McKendree College and later went on to obtain her Master’s. Robin had a strong work ethic and was a loyal employee. She worked for Edisons in St. Louis, served in the programming department in several banks in the metro-east worked for AT&T, and completed her career upon retiring in 2018 as a system analyst. Robin loved the feel of the warm sun on her face while lounging in her lawn chair. She and her husband, Kerry loved to explore while taking long rides in the country and long road trips together. Robin and her husband also shared a passion for sports and enjoyed many good times watching their favorite athletic teams win. Robin had a can-do attitude and embraced each day with joy and expectancy.
A celebration of life graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Hillcrest Memorial Park in rural Sandoval with Pastor Michael Feldmann officiating. Memorials may be made in Robin’s honor to the Salem Lutheran Church or Samaritan’s Purse and will be accepted for the family at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories of Robin may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia is privileged to be assisting the family of Robin Carpenter with arrangements.
