Joseph Braun

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Joseph W. Braun, 92, of rural Freeburg, IL, born February 6, 1927, in Hecker, IL, died Friday, May 17, 2019, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, IL.

Mr. Braun was raised on the family farm near Hecker.  As a young adult, he opened a jewelry store in Columbia IL, and then served in the U.S. army in the Korean war.  Upon returning from Korea, he married the love of his life, Leona F. Sommer, and opened Braun’s Jewelry store in downtown Belleville, IL.  He then worked for many years at his brother’s autobody repair shop, Braun Autobody, in Belleville.  Mr. Braun was a long-time member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Freeburg.  He enjoyed spending time with his family on his farm near Freeburg, where he lived until the Lord called him home to be with Him.

Mr. Braun was preceded in death by his parents, William and Eleanora, nee Schilling, Braun; his parents-in-law, Ferdinand and Emilie, nee Luebkemann, Sommer; five brothers, Albert Braun, Edwin Braun, Herman Braun, Peter Braun (infant), and Alexander Braun (infant); four sisters, Mary Lauer, Loretta Schmidt, Hildegard Cook, and Eleanora Braun (infant); eleven brothers-in-law, Milton Lauer, Orville Schmidt Sr, Kenneth Cook, Fred Sommer, Louie Sommer, Ferdinand Sommer, Rudolph Sommer, Arkell Bollmeier Sr, Charlie Behnken, Leonard Ohm, and Adolph Falkenhein; one sister-in-law, Helen Sommer; five nephews, Orville Schmidt Jr, Joseph Lauer, Wayne Behnken, Thomas Braun, and Nolan Falkenhein; and one niece, Cindy Whitehead.

Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Leona F., nee Sommer, Braun, whom he married on January 3, 1953, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Hecker, IL;
one daughter, Deborah Kennett of Fairview Heights IL;
three sons, Robert Braun of Belleville IL, Donald Braun of Freeburg IL, and Michael Braun of Freeburg IL;
three grandchildren, Dayna (Kenneth) Ostempowski of Columbia, MO, Kimberly (Jason) Busiek of San Diego, CA, and Mathew (Emily) Kennett of New Richmond, WI;
three great-grandchildren, Henry Kennett,  Ella Kennett, and Leona Busiek;
three sisters-in-law, Ella Falkenhein of Marissa IL, Frieda Sommer of Marissa IL, and Ruth Braun of St. Peters MO;
and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation:  Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2019, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Freeburg, IL.

Funeral:  Funeral procession will leave at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2019, from George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Freeburg, IL, for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, IL.

Burial with military honors will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

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1 Comment on Joseph Braun

Frank X HeiligensteinJOe was a very pleasant said : Guest Report May 30, 2019 at 12:58 AM

Joe was a very fine person that all of us in Freeebug are going to miss..May he rest in peace...

  • Freeburg
  • IL

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