BRUNK, David 1900-1990

BRUNK, WEAVER, SPONG

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/3/2011 at 08:29:55

Rites Held For David Brunk

Funeral services for David Elmer Brunk, 89, who died Tuesday, January 16, 1990, in McPherson, KS, were held on Saturday, January 20, at the Ivester Church of the Brethren.

Rev. Phil and Rev. Louise Rieman officiated at the services with Forrest Kruschwitz as vocalist and Karen Cakerice as organist.

Flower ladies were Marlene Neher and LaVonne Kruschwitz. Casket bearers were Lyle Neher, Paul Neher, Donald Butler, Glen Draper, Glendon Button and Kirby Leland, with interment in the Sheller Cemetery. Andrle and Creps Funeral Home in Eldora handled arrangements.

David Elmer Brunk, the eldest child of John and Ida Weaver Brunk, was born April 8, 1900, near Mound City, MO. When he was seven his family moved west to a farm in Scott county, Kansas, and two years later to Larnard, KS, where he attended grade school and high school.

After graduation from high school, the family moved to McPherson, KS, where he attended McPherson College, graduating in 1923. Following college, he taught high school for three years in Kansas.

He married Hazel Spong on August 6, 1926, in Topeka, KS, and that same month they went to Hawaii where he continued to teach. He taught high school in Hawaii for 40 years, two in Hilo and the remainder in Honolulu at McKinley High School.

In Hawaii, he was an active member of the Central Union Church and pursued interests in woodworking and raising orchids and other tropical plants. Upon his retirement in 1965, they moved to Grundy Center where they made their home until 1986. They were a part of the Ivester Church of the Brethren. Since September, 1986, they lived in the Cedars Apartments in McPherson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brother, Lester and Harold; and two sisters, Violet Stumbo and Ada Harbaugh.

He is survived by his wife; a sister, Ferne Temple of McPherson; his son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and LaDonna Kruschwitz Brunk of rural Grundy county; three grandchildren, Linnea of Wichita, KS, and Steven and Karin, students at McPherson College.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 25 January 1990, pg 11