http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_648104.html
Mary Pickels can be reached via e-mail or at 724-836-5401.
By Mary Pickels
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The brother of a Fairfield woman allegedly slain by her husband earlier this week in an apparent murder-suicide mourned the loss of his sister and his brother-in-law Wednesday, offering prayers for both devastated families.
The Rev. Thomas A. Federline, pastor of St. Paul Parish in Hempfield's Carbon section, said Jeanette C. Brinkos, 62, and Conrad J. Brinkos, 71, had been married for 10 years. It was a second marriage for both.
"My sister was very intelligent, very bright, very hardworking," Federline said yesterday. "She had a lot of friends. She loved life and celebrated life. She loved to travel. She loved to care for animals, both pets and wild."
His sister was the oldest of seven children, he said.
"She was a wonderful big sister," he said. "She had a very special relationship with Mom and Dad, being the firstborn. She and Mom talked almost daily."
"They are broken-hearted," he said of his parents. "It is so tragic."
Westmoreland County Deputy Coroner John Ackerman pronounced both Brinkoses dead shortly after noon Tuesday. Both died of gunshot wounds to the head. Yesterday, the coroner's office determined that Jeanette Brinkos was shot by her husband, who then shot himself.
Autopsies were deemed unnecessary, according to the coroner's office.
The couple enjoyed traveling together, Federline said. They recently had bought a motor home and planned to travel to Florida.
Federline said his brother-in-law enjoyed going for walks and playing with the couple's miniature schnauzer, Gretchen.
"She was basically a lap dog for Conrad," Federline said.
The couple often joined family members for dinners and get-togethers, he said.
"We got concerned because no one had heard from them," he said.
Federline said his mother spoke with Jeanette Brinkos on Sunday.
"No one heard from them for the next 24 hours," he said. "I went out to the house and found them. I could see through the front door. I called 911."
Conrad Brinkos came from a small family, with a brother and sister-in-law.
Federline said Conrad Brinkos' brother also was broken-hearted.
"We will cry together and get through this," he said.
Whatever happened inside the couple's rural home, Federline said, "is too difficult to try to figure out."
"It is very sad, very unfortunate," he said. "We feel consolation for his family. We are all praying for both sides of the family."
Funeral arrangements for Jeanette Brinkos are being handled by the Leo M. Bacha Funeral Home, 516 Stanton at Green streets, Southwest Greensburg. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Paul Parish, in Hempfield's Carbon section. (Everyone please go directly to the church on Saturday). Interment will follow in the Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont. www.bachafuneralhomeinc.com.
Funeral arrangements for Conrad Brinkos could not be determined last night. His family could not be reached for comment.
