Charles Brune

Charles Brune

Charles H. Brune, 88, passed away Friday, July 10, 2009, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He had been a resident of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau for more than two years.

Charlie was born March 25, 1921, in Cape Girardeau to Henry and Alma (Young) Brune. He married Mary Louise Jamison in 1944 in Traverse City, Mich., while serving in the U.S. Navy, and they celebrate 65 years of marriage.

He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School and completed two years at Southeast Missouri State College on a football scholarship. While a student he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Flight Program, serving as an aviation cadet in the V5 Flying Indians program from 1941 until being activated in September 1942. After flight training he was commissioned as a naval aviator with the rank of ensign. In 1943 Ensign Brune was assigned to a top-secret squadron flying radio-controlled aircraft. In 1945 he was designated a Patrol Plane Commander flying submarine patrol on the East Coast. In 1946 he withdrew from active duty, remaining in the active Naval Reserve. He retired in 1963 with the rank of full commander and 21 years of service.

In 1948 Charlie, Louise and Bill Brune, Charlie's brother, opened Brune's Cleaners and Furriers Co. at 220 N. Main St. In 1960 he went into the general insurance business with Maurice Dunklin of W.E. Walker Co., retiring in 1986. As a member of the Independent Insurance Association, he served in various positions including president and as a member of the board of directors.

As a lifelong member of United Centenary Methodist Church, Charlie was ever the booster and volunteer. His civic accomplishments included: president and board of directors of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; president and board of directors of Cape Lions Club; co-founder, president, board of directors and hall of fame member of SEMO University Booster Club; and president and board of directors of the Cape United Way. Other civic organizations through the years included the Jaycees, the American Legion, the VFW, the Elks Lodge, the Cape Girardeau Country Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Shrine Club, the Cape Central Booster Club and the Cape Central Sports Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Louise Brune of Cape Girardeau; four sons, Greg (Barbara) Brune and Brad (Kathie) Brune of Cape Girardeau, Scott (Patricia) Brune of Houston and Lance (Eileen) Brune of Charlotte, N.C. He has 10 grandchildren: Brent (Jenny), Brian (Michelle), Jeffrey (Shea), Bobby (Emily), Allison, Sheila, Lance, Jonathon, Kristina and Greg Brune. His great-grandchildren include Madison, Emma, Adalia, Brady, Clara, Ellis, and a baby girl Brune still in the oven.

Memorials may be made in Charlie's name to the Cape Central Booster Club or the Southeast Missouri State University Booster Club.

"Old aviators never die ... We just fly off west and into eternity."

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the chapel.

Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Mausoleum with full military rites by Missouri Honors Team.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.