CHARLES PHILIP BRUNER

The funeral liturgy for Charles Philip “Chuck’ Bruner, 102, will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, September 24, 2022 at the Saint James Catholic Church in Douglas, Wyoming with Father Lucas Kazimiro Simango as the Celebrant.  The Vigil for the Deceased will be held at 6:00 P.M. Friday, September 23, 2022 at the Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel.  Inurnment will be in the Douglas Park Cemetery with military honors accorded by Samuel Mares American Legion Post #8 and United States Navy Funeral Honors.

Charles Bruner died peacefully in his home in Douglas, Wyoming on Thursday, September 15, 2022.

Chuck was born Wednesday, March 31, 1920 at Bruner Ranch home south of Douglas, Wyoming the son of Ferris Bruce and Mary Kathryn (Dunn) Bruner.

Following a childhood rooted in his rural life on the ranch, he ultimately spent 3 years with the Navy during WWII as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. During this time, Chuck had met his future wife Mary, and his lifelong commitments to faith and family were firmly established in late 1943 with his conversion to Roman Catholicism and marriage to Mary. In 1949, he began building his innovative straw-bale home in Douglas and with the help of family and community members, his family was able to move in the fall of 1949.

Chuck’s career in automotive and aviation mechanics, including running his own business and teaching, was a testament to his delight in precision, and his lifelong insatiable and universal curiosity. Chuck’s love of the Wyoming outdoors, specifically hunting, fishing, and camping continued into his 93rd year. Then, in 2014, to keep Chuck focused on being active, his family encouraged him to participate in Wyoming’s Senior Olympics program which he did into his 100th year, always in his cowboy boots and jeans.

He is survived by his children, James Ferris (Gwen) Bruner of Dubois, Wyoming, William Joseph Bruner, Philip Charles Bruner, Marie Anne Koppa all of Douglas and Thomas Gordon (Linda) Bruner of Mesa, Arizona; nine grandchildren: Diane Nuhn, David (Michelle), Elizabeth, Craig (Andrea), Amy Jessen (David), Shay Clark, Steven (Bridgette), Eric, and Andrea; twelve great grandchildren, Cameron Clark, Kyle Nuhn, Kyler Hoffman, Sebastian Bruner, Ryan Bruner, Abigail Bruner, Isabelle Bruner, Aysha Bruner, Tehya Bruner, Brooklyn Jessen, Payten Jessen, and Christopher Kingsbury; as well as a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ferris, on January 29, 1988; mother, Mary, on October 8, 1973; wife, Mary Helen (Brankin) Bruner, on July 21, 2013; siblings, Archie Thomas Bruner on December 31, 2003 and Sibyl June Prager on December 5, 2012; grandson, Brian Joseph Bruner; on December 24, 1984; and great grandson, Tyler Nuhn, on August 23, 2021.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Douglas Senior Citizens Center, P.O. Box 192, Douglas, Wyoming 82633 would be appreciated by the family.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his great grandchildren.   

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com

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