PAUL BRUENING

JACKSON -- Paul H. Bruening, 88, of Jackson died Sunday, June 22, 1997, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 16. 1909, in Jackson, the son of William and Bertha Sebastian Bruening. On August 20, 1944, he married Thekla Sieving. She preceded him in death on Aug. 24, 1992.

After graduating from Jackson High School in 1927, he worked with his father at the Bruening-Kerstner Dry Goods Store. In 1931, he and his father formed Bruening Dry Goods, which he owned and operated until closing the store in 1964. He then worked as office manager for Kasten Masonry in Jackson until his retirement in 1975.

He was a charter member of the Jackson Municipal Band and stayed in it for 64 years. He was president of the Jackson Library Board in the 1950s and early 1960s and was instrumental in building what is now called the Cox Building.

He served as president of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Jackson Rotary Club.

He belonged to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Jackson, taught Sunday school there and sang in the choir for more than 60 years. He was instrumental in laying the groundwork for a new church building and in its dedication in 1963.

Survivors include two sons, Rev. Stephen Bruening of Alexandria, Minn., and James Bruening of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Ruth Boehne of Hoyleton, Ill., and 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and five sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Jackson with the Revs. Walter Fehrmann and Robert Henrichs officiating. Burial will be in the Old City Cemetery in Jackson.