Merlin “Mike” Brunner, age 97, Appleton, formerly of New London passed away on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Leopolis, WI on July 19, 1924, the son of the late Albert N. and Elithe (Chapin) Brunner. On December 29, 1951, Mike was united in marriage to Joan Brunner in Leopolis. She preceded him in death on April 1, 2009. He graduated from Marion High School in 1942. In 1943 Mike joined the US Army, serving in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII. At the conclusion of WWII, he transitioned to Army Reserves, rising to the rank of Major before retiring in 1963. He then attended Central State Teachers College in Stevens Point. Mike taught from 1948 to 1951 at Lincoln Junior High School in New London. In 1951 he became a sales manager at Edison Wood Products, and rose to president of the company, later known as Simmons Juvenile Products. In 1987 he and his partners took the company private. Mike was actively involved in the New London community, serving in the Rotary Club, School Board, First State Bank Board and New London Community Hospital Board. He enjoyed golf and was a member of the New London Golf Club and Butte des Morts Golf Course and played many rounds at various courses around the country. Mike retired with his wife Joan in Appleton and they wintered in Florida. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was lovingly called Papa by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mike is survived by his children: Barbara (Kenneth) Wolf, Mark (Lynn) Brunner, Paul Brunner (Diana Cox), Peter (Kim) Brunner and Beth (Andrew) Calder; grandchildren: Gregg (Katie) Wolf, Lindsay (Steve) Seefeldt, Kevin (Georgia) Brunner, Erin (Karl) Riem, Adam (Amber) Wolf, Damian Brunner (Jamie Leatherday), Shannon Brunner and Emily Calder; great-grandchildren: Sam, Paige, Claire, Ben, Penny, Gwen, Nate, Jordy, Maggie, Hadley and Maddie and his sisters, Letitia Mader and Ramona (Roger) Hanson. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother Emereth and a sister Libbie Ann Zoglman.
Funeral mass for Mike will he held at 11:00 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Appleton on Monday, August 23, 2021 with Fr. Bill Swichtenberg officiating. Visitation will be held at the church Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of mass. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to The Merlin and Joan Brunner Scholarship Fund at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Appleton. Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com