Stan H. Brenneman

Stan H. Brenneman, 84, of Berne passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at Lutheran Life Villages in Fort Wayne. He was born on March 27, 1934 in Elkhart County to Herber and Elsie (Henry) Brenneman. He was married on June 8, 1958 in West Chester Methodist Church in Jay County to Shirley Bechdolt. Those who knew him will recall him jokingly saying they were happily married 12 years; that’s not too bad out of 60.

He was in the First Class of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the Fort Wayne National Guard in Fort Wayne.

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Berne, where he sang in the choir. He was also a member of the Berne Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Berne Rotary Club where he had perfect attendance for over 30 years. He was also a long-standing member of the South Adams School Board and was able to hand diplomas to three of his four kids. Most recently, he was a member of the Fort Wayne Bridge Club.

He was the owner/operator of Stan’s Men’s Wear (P.S. ladies too) in Berne and Brenneman Travel Bureau for many years and was also employed as a furniture salesman for Smith Brothers of Berne. 

He and his wife loved traveling and worked that into their business as professional tour operators. They escorted their guests all over the United States and many countries. Through several cruises and motorcoach tours, their favorite destination was Alaska having visited it 27 times. While living in Adams County, he loved singing and performed in several regional musical productions. His most popular role was Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music. His other pastime loves included jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, backgammon, playing cards, reading, following his St. Louis Cardinals and spending time with his grandkids. Friends visiting would often be greeted by him saying “2 out of 3?”

He is survived by his wife of Berne; two sons, Bill (Deb) Brenneman of Fort Wayne; and Todd (Tammy) Steiner of Berne; two daughters, Wanda (Brian) Dean of Ottawa, Ohio; and Angi (Dusty) Hill of Indianapolis; six grandchildren, Brock and Jessica Brenneman; and Alex, Annika, Harrison and Hayden Dean; six nephews; and three nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Rev. Paul Brenneman; and Rev. Wayne Brenneman; and two sisters, Verla Brenneman; and Ruth Fair-Meeks.

Visitation will be from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15 followed by a 12:30 p.m. funeral service at Trinity United Methodist Church in Berne. Officiating will be Pastor Mark Walus. Burial will be at Green Park Cemetery in Portland.

Memorials may be made to Adams County Council on Aging, Love INC of Adams County and Compassionate Ministries Network INC. 

Arrangements provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.