Brinley H. Davis

Brinley H. Davis, age 63, of Dover, passed away, Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at home, surrounded by his loving family, after battling cancer.

Born April 24, 1961, in Dover, he was the son of Joan (Alpeter) Davis of Strasburg and the late William G. Davis. Brinley graduated from Dover High School in 1979, and went on to serve honorably with the United States Army during “the good ol’ Reagan years,” as he would call them. He was stationed in Germany for much of his service time and attained the rank of corporal. Brinley married the former Anita Bixler, who survives, on July 15, 1990, and was employed at Anita’s family’s business, Breitenbach Wine Cellars.

Brinley possessed a quick wit, and his innate kindness and generosity were extended to all whom he met. He loved to garden, which he did at home and the winery. He also had a great love of music, playing the drums in high school and afterward (his favorite all-time drummer was Neil Peart of Rush). Brinley was a dedicated fan of the Cleveland Browns, however good or bad the season was, and he enjoyed history, often enlightening family and friends about historical events. He was well-read about both the subjects of history and gardening. Additionally, Brinley liked playing golf when time allowed.

He attended NewPointe Community Church as well as Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, both of Dover, and gave of his time as a volunteer for Mobile Meals of Dover-New Phila.

In addition to his mother, Joan, he will be dearly missed by his wife, Anita; his children, Abigail Lily (Emmy Manning) and Jonathan Wesley Davis; his sister and brothers, Andrea (Mark) Malcuit, Donn William (Halona) and Sam Davis; his father-in-law, Dalton “Duke” Bixler; his sister-in-law, Jennifer (Scott) Kohler; his nieces and nephews, Maureen, Gaston, Elayna, Henry, Elizabeth and Hopper; and many other relatives and close friends who will also miss him.

Besides his father, Brinley was preceded in death by his son, Zachary Adam Davis; his sister-in-law, Debbie Davis; his mother-in-law, Cynthia Bixler; and his grandparents, Thelma and Herman Alpeter, with whom he was close.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 29, 4 - 7 p.m. in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover. A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 30, at 11 a.m. in Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church; Pastor Bonnie L. Grimaldi will officiate. Family and friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday morning. Burial will follow in Union Hill Cemetery, Sugarcreek, where military honors will be conducted. 

Contributions honoring Brinley’s memory may be made to the Zachary Davis Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 543, Dover, Ohio 44622, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.