3/27/1934 - 2/10/2019
Stan H. Brenneman, 84, of Berne passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019 at
Lutheran Life Villages in Fort Wayne.
He was born on March 27, 1934
in Elkhart County, the son of the late Herber Brenneman and the late Elsie
(Henry) Brenneman.
Stan was united in marriage to Shirley Bechdolt on
June 8, 1958 in West Chester Methodist Church, in Jay County. Those who knew
Stan will recall him jokingly saying they were happily married 12 years;
that’s not too bad out of 60.
He was in the First Class of the Air
Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the Fort Wayne National
Guard in Fort Wayne.
He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Berne where he sang
in the choir. He was also a member of the Berne Chamber of Commerce and a
member of the Berne Rotary Club where he had perfect attendance for over 30
years. Stan was also a long standing member of the South Adams school board
and was able to hand diplomas to 3 of his 4 kids. Most recently, he was a
member of the Fort Wayne Bridge Club.
Stan was the owner/operator of
Stan’s Men’s Wear (P.S. ladies too) in Berne and Brenneman Travel Bureau for
many years, and was also employed as a furniture salesmen for Smith Brothers
of Berne.
Stan and Shirley loved traveling and worked that into their
business as professional tour operators. They escorted their guests all over
the United States and many countries. Through several cruises and motor
coach tours, their favorite destination was Alaska having visited it 27
times. While living in Adams County, Stan loved singing and performed in
several regional musical productions. His most popular role was Captain Von
Trapp in the Sound of Music. Stan’s other pastime loves include jig saw
puzzles, crosswords, backgammon, playing cards, reading, following his St.
Louis Cardinals, and spending time with his grandkids. Friends visiting
would often be greeted by Stan saying “2 out of 3?”
Survivors include
his wife of 60 years, Shirley Brenneman of Berne; two sons, Bill (Deb)
Brenneman of Fort Wayne, and Todd (Tammy) Steiner of Berne; two daughters,
Wanda (Brian) Dean of Ottawa, OH and Angi (Dusty) Hill of Indianapolis; six
grandkids, Brock and Jessica Brenneman, and Alex, Annika, Harrison, and
Hayden Dean; six nephews; and three nieces.
Stan was preceded in
death by two brothers, Rev. Paul Brenneman and Rev. Wayne Brenneman; two
sisters, Verla Brenneman and Ruth Fair-Meeks.
Funeral services will
be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2019 at Trinity United Methodist
Church in Berne with Pastor Mark Walus officiating. Interment will follow in
the Green Park Cemetery in Portland, Indiana.
Friends will be
received from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2019 at Trinity
United Methodist Church in Berne.
Preferred memorials can be made to
Adams County Council on Aging, Love INC of Adams County, and Compassionate
Ministries network INC.
Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home;
February 11, 2019
Contributed by Jim Cox
Buried in Green Park Cemetery