The Excelsior Standard, Jan. 6, 2023

Kenneth Eugene “Gene” Brunke, age 84 of Pleasant Valley and a former lifelong resident of Excelsior Springs, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 28, 2022, at Lawson Manor.

Gene was born on Feb. 11, 1938, the son of Cecil Arvine and Helen Louise (Brunner) Brunke in Excelsior Springs, where he grew up in the family business, Brunke Supply. He graduated in 1956 from Excelsior Springs High School and honorably served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Puerto Rico from June 1956 until June 1960. He married Patricia Ping on June 15, 1961, in St. Joseph at Patee Park Baptist Church.

Gene worked as an executive field service engineer for the Burroughs Corp., Unisys Corp. and Genesys Corp. before retiring and working at Phillips 66 in Liberty. He was a member of Barbee Memorial Presbyterian Church in Excelsior Springs. Gene was a handyman, able to fix or build anything. He had a genius IQ and was excellent at computer work.

Gene enjoyed being outside, fishing and cutting the grass. Gene was always willing to help people. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Robert Brunke. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Brunke of Pleasant Valley; children, Debora Smith (Will) of Liberty and David Eugene Brunke (Karen) of Roswell, Ga.; grandchildren, Aaron Glunt (Ariel) of Kansas City, Ryan Glunt of Liberty, Nicole Wood (Travis) of Kansas City, Matthew Brunke of Roswell and Jessica Saunders (Chandler) of Buckhead, Ga.; greatgrandchildren, Ava, Kairi, Avea, Brody, Daxton and Wrenley; and brother, Larry Dean Brunke (Clara Jane) of Excelsior Springs. Several nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members also survive.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home.

The family received friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, at Stith Funeral Home in Polo. Memorial services with military honors followed the visitation at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Polo. Phone: 660-354-2214.

Online guestbook: www.stithfamilyfunerals.com.