Paul A. Brunner

Paul A. Brunner, age 93, died on May 21, 2014 at Church of Christ Assisted Living in Clinton Township. Paul was born on February 20, 1921 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania and moved with his family to Detroit in 1928. Paul graduated from Denby High School in 1938 and started working at Walker & Company in Detroit as an apprentice glassblower. The company manufactured neon signs and Paul soon earned his journeyman's card. During his high school years and after, Paul played the trumpet in a dance band. It was at one of his performances that he met Virginia Steinke. Paul and Virginia were married on April 11, 1942, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Detroit. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Texas and Washington, working as an airplane and engine mechanic. After the War, he continued working as a glassblower and eventually owned his own company, Brunner Neon Company, in Mt. Clemens. Mr. Brunner was an avid golfer and enjoyed bowling and playing the stock market. He was associated with several golf leagues and an investment clubs through the years. He was a charter member of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Detroit and was the church treasurer and financial secretary for more than 50 years. Paul was the devoted husband of Virginia (d. 2011) for 69 years. Dear father of Judith Champney (John), Donna Bramlage (Donald) and Barbara DiMaggio (Charles). Loving grandfather of Thomas Champney (Joanne), Karin Eberhard (David), Andrew Bramlage (Colleen), Adam Bramlage (Maya), Michael Bramlage (Elizabeth), Daniel DiMaggio (Elly), Erin DiBiase (Roman) and Kathryn Bourgeois (Michael). Adoring great-grandfather of Elizabeth, Joshua, and Camryn Champney, Hannah, Sarah, and Rachel Eberhard, Riley and Ella Rose Bramlage, Lucien and Amelie Bramlage, Frances Bramlage, Annabelle and Stella DiMaggio and Gretel Bourgeois. Brother of the late Robert and Jack Brunner and Marian Leinninger. Brother-in-law of Janet Miskus. Also many loving nieces and nephews. Visitation for Mr. Brunner will be held from 3:00 to 9:00 pm Tuesday and from 11:00 am Wednesday until the funeral at 12 noon at the A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave. at Vernier Rd, Grosse Pointe Woods. Rev. Dr. David Eberhard, Pastor of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit will officiate. Interment will follow at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East in Clinton Township, where the Reverend Dr. Kieth Gerberding will preside. The family has suggested memorials be made to Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, 16661 East State Fair; Detroit, MI 48205 or Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI 48207.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236