John O. Bruner

John O. Bruner passed gently from this Earth on Monday, October 3, 2016. Visitation will be held at Chapel Hill Butler Funeral Home, 701 N 94th St, Kansas City, Kansas 66112, Friday evening, October 7th 6:00-8:00 p.m. Services will commence at Community of Christ-The Highlands, 7615 N Platte Purchase Dr, Kansas City, Missouri 64118, Saturday, October 8th at 10:00 a.m.

John was born in Kansas City, Kansas on Saturday, July 26, 1930 to Violet and Oliver Bruner. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Carl Corriston, Roy William Corriston, Bob Bruner, JoAnn Bruner and grandson Paul Spittler.

As a teen he worked at the Nu-Way Drive-In and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1948, afterwards serving as a Kansas National Guard sergeant and a Santa Fe Railroad apprentice until 1956. He attended Kansas City, Kansas Community College graduating from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts-Business Administration degree.

It was in accounting class at UMKC that he met Anne Arlene Nelson, a studious pharmacy major. Prior to their graduating, they were married in 1955 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2015. They were blessed with daughters Cheryl A. Spittler and Carolyn Bruner Rockhold. He was an affectionate husband and father expressing joy, pride and love to his girls.

As was his dream, John became owner-operator of John Bruner Landscaping, Inc. contracting jobs in the Midwest planting many of the trees and seeding the greenways of the U.S. Army installations of Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth as well as Whiteman Air Force Base. By 1961, the authorized Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 brought John and his crews long, hot, hard work days, which found him completely in his element. Today many of the highways and bi-ways still bear his imprint of tender care, thorough knowledge and love of nature.

Not content with his thriving seeding business, John owned and operated two International Harvester Company dealerships in Independence and Olathe. From 1968 to 1983, John established Red Ranch Rental which became a family affair with his wife and daughters working together, as well as many extended relatives and countless friends.

Throughout his construction ventures, sub-contracting and property development, John continued seeding and landscaping private and public green spaces with his trusted right-hand man of 40 years, Steve Hart. He mentored innumerable young men and women, instilling the value of an honest day’s work.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Wyandotte Bank, the Kansas City, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, and the Fairfax Municipal Airport. He was an active member of the American Rental Association serving as officer of its Kansas City chapter. He also enjoyed participation on the Wyandotte County Historical Museum fundraising committee.

John’s work ethic was surpassed only by his generous dedication to the Master, as a Community of Christ priesthood member, beginning at age 18. He attended and provided steadfast service in the Chelsea, Bethel, and The Highlands Congregations and their surrounding communities. He ministered tirelessly making home and hospital visits to those in need of prayer, comfort and companionship.

John, who never met a stranger, enjoyed good conversation (usually over coffee), discussing world events and sharing laughter. Friends and family will long after recall the stories of his life’s experiences – he believed they were worth repeating. He found good in the world and effortlessly extended an encouraging word, compliment, hug or handshake.

John, with Arlene, enjoyed traveling, their place at the Lake of the Ozarks, gardening, socializing at civic and cultural events, dining with friends and business acquaintances, their Monday Night Gang and spending time with nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren and great-granddaughters.

Survivors include: wife, Arlene Bruner; daughters and their spouses, Cheryl and Leo Spittler and Carolyn and Greg Rockhold; grandchildren, Nick Spittler, Robert Wright, Ben Spittler, Brian Spittler, Alexis Rockhold, April Johnson; great-grandaughters, Savana Hernandez, Chesney Wolfe and Zoey Johnson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community of Christ-The Highlands or NorthCare Hospice House.

It is no coincidence that his initials are J.O.B.- he loved to work! Throughout eternity he will be “takin’ care of business.”