Mattie Lou Brunner, age 101, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was reunited with her loved ones in Heaven, on Sunday, August 1, 2021. Mattie Lou was born in Shelbyville, TN on September 23, 1919 and moved to Ft. Wayne with her parents when she was 6 years old.
She married Norman Brunner on April 26, 1941. They built a home on Carroll Road in 1955 where they raised their two sons, Tom and John. They built a cottage on Pleasant Lake, which is still enjoyed by family today.
As a girl she worked at JC Penny's in downtown Fort Wayne. There after she worked at GE in Fort Wayne for many years including the years her husband was serving in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Mattie Lou was a devoted Christian and long time faithful member of the Fort Wayne First Assembly of God Church. Her parents, Fred and Novella Coats, were founding members of the church and Mattie Lou attended First Assembly from its inception. She was the oldest living member. When life's little gifts would bless us in unexpected ways, she would remark that they were “bear hugs” from God.
Her favorite activity was attending track meets and basketball games at Huntertown High School
and Carroll High School, watching her two sons compete. She was an accomplished athlete herself
as a youngster, “running with the boys and jumping higher than her head.” She graduated from Fort
Wayne South Side High School in 1937. She delighted in grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s academic, athletic, and life achievements.
Mattie Lou was survived by two sons: Tom Brunner (Sheila) of Manistee, Michigan, and John
Brunner (Tressa) of Fort Wayne. She was survived by four grandchildren: Ben Brunner (Maggie) of Goshen; Elizabeth O’Connor (Brian) of Huntertown; Zach Brunner (Olivia) of Grand Blanc, Michigan; and Luke Brunner of Troy, Michigan. She was also blessed to have ten great grandchildren: Belle Brunner, Tommy Brunner, Bo Brunner, Harry Brunner, Teddy Brunner, Tommy O’Connor, Michael O’Connor, Katie O’Connor, Novella Brunner, and Emersyn Brunner.
Mattie Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Brunner; her parents, Fred and Novella
Coats; and her brother, Rev. Orman Coats and his wife, Marilyn.
Funeral services will be held at 11 on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at First Assembly of God, 1400 W Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825. Visitation will be from 9:30 am to 11 am. Memorial contributions may be made to Fort Wayne First Assembly of God Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fort Wayne First Assembly of God Church.
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