William W. Bruner (1846-1936)

BRUNER, HOUSER, ETNIER, GEER, THOMPSON, BRUNER, MYERS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/8/2024 at 18:44:04

From The Nevada Journal August 27, 1936 (page 3)

COLO PEOPLE PAID HONOR TO VETERAN

WM. BRUNER, 90, HAD LIVED IN STORY COUNTY FOR MANY YEARS

Special to the Journal
Colo, Aug. 27--Funeral services for William W. Bruner were held from the Calvary Evangelical church at Colo Monday afternoon, August 24. The services were in charge of Rev. C. O. Van Meter of Marshalltown. He was assisted by Rev. L. H. Wood the local pastor.

The songs "Old Rugged Cross," "Shadows", and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" were beautifully sung by a male quartette, consisting of A. B. Perry, Chas. Wilson, Bert Lambeth and J. D. Lounsberry. They were accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Merle Dickinson.

The flowers were in charge of Mrs. Nels Perry and Mrs. C. W. Yeager. Pallbearers were grandsons of the deceased, namely, Gurdon Geer Jr., Ronald Bruner, A. W. Thompson, Leonard Etnier, Hubert Myres and Jack Thompson. A military service was held at the cemetery by the American Legion. Taps were sounded by Robert Pratt. Interment was in the Colo cemetery by the side of his wife who preceded him in death twelve years ago. Relatives attending from away were, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Bruner, daughters, Bertha, Betty and Patty, and son Ronald of Lamont, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Fernald of Cedar Falls, Mrs. Jessie Etnier son Leonard and daughter Mrs. Caroll Warinaby of Sheffield, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Webb of Rockford, Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Geer, Mr. and Mrs. Gurden Geer, Mrs. Loren Hendren and son Billy of Clarinda, Miss Hazel Webb of Omaha, Fred Bruner of Sioux City, Miss Sadie Thompson of Ames, Mrs. R. C. Tevebaugh and daughter Myrna, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Thornton of Des Moines.

William W. Bruner was born in Northumberland county, Pa., July 15, 1846 and died at the Soldiers' home hospital, Marshalltown, Iowa, Friday, August 21, at the age of 90 years, 1 month and 6 days. He was the son of Jacob and Mary Bruner of Munsey, Pa. His father died when he was 5 years of age he went to make his home with his uncle at Decorah, Iowa, later returning to Pennsylvania.

He first enlisted in the 131st Pa. Infantry, Co. H, at Munsey, Pa., on August 11, 1862 when he was but 16 year of age. He served out this enlistment period and was discharged at Harrisburg, Pa. May 1, 1863. He again enlisted in Battery B of the First Reserve, Penn Light Artillery, Feb. 8, 1864, at Munsey. He was discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., on June 2, 1865 at the end of the war.

He lived in this state until after the Civil war but in early manhood came west. He was married to Sarah Jane Houser at Lena, Ill., and soon after the marriage moved to Red Oak, Ia., where they lived for several years, when they moved to Story county locating upon a farm near Colo, which has been his home the remaining years. He may rightly be considered a pioneer of this county. He followed farming in the active period of his life. Six children survive his passing, Ray W. Bruner of Lamont, Ia., Mrs. Jessie Etnier of Sheffield, Ia., Mrs. Josephine Geer of Clarinda, Ia., Mrs. Bessie Thompson of Colo, Ia., Fred O. Bruner of Sioux City, Ia., and Mrs. Beatrice Myres of Colo, Ia., one daughter, Vinnie died at 18 years of age. The wife and mother passed on some twelve years ago. He was admitted to the Iowa Soldiers Home Nov. 10, 1924 and with the exception of a few months, he has lived at that place continuously until the time of his passing. In these years he has endeared himself to all who have some to know him. Especially has this been true in these later years when he has been a patient in the hospital. The doctors and nurses and attendants as well as fellow members of the Home have come to appreciate the fine qualities of character he possessed.