George E. Van Bruaene

Nov. 8, 1919 - Sept. 14, 1999

George E. Van Bruaene, 79, of 538 Victoria Court, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away while playing golf at Eberhardt-Petro Golf Course on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at approximately 11 a.m. His wife of 58 years, Madylon L. (Lowman), was present at the course at the time, but was in the clubhouse with friends. The family which includes three surviving sons, David, Michael and James, were all long-time golfers. As a family, their houses are decorated with trophies and awards from golf experiences. Many family excursions through the years centered on warm climates and golf destinations.

George was the patriarch of the family. He has two surviving younger brothers, Lawrence and Clarence, both also of Mishawaka. All are the sons of Camiel and Serena Van Bruaene.

There are nine grandchildren: Kim, Tobie, Sara, Amy, Anne, Jason, and Jill, Matthew and Joseph; and two great-grandchildren, Georgia and Kaene.

Family, church and friends were George's treasures in life. He was raised in the West End where his father owned a tavern. He was graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1938 and Madylon in 1939. George attended Notre Dame and both he and Madylon attended South Bend Business College.

They were married June 21, 1941. World War II soon called George away and he returned to Mishawaka in 1945. He started a small grocery store at the corner of Lincolnway and Studebaker. Later, he worked for Studebaker Corp. and retired in 1982 from Wheelabrator Corp.

He was a member of First Christian Church in Mishawaka and had attended River Valley Church where he and Madylon were active. George had been superintendent of Sunday school at First Christian for almost 20 years in the 60's and 70's. He served as an elder and a deacon at various times, as well as on committees. He sang in the choir and was often a soloist. He sometimes sang in duet with his brother, Lawrence.

There will be visitation at Bubb Northside Funeral Chapel on Thursday evening, Sept. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m.

A memorial service will be conducted at First Christian Church at Capital and Third at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, followed by a time of greeting for friends and relatives.

George and Madylon's great-granddaughter, Georgia, was born with cystic fibrosis. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Indiana Chapter, to the Heart Fund or to a favorite charity.