Fr. James Brune

Evansville native Father James Anthony Brune, a priest of the Diocese of Evansville, died Sept. 15. He was 85. He retired in 1995 and lived in the diocesan home for priests, Villa Maria, in Evansville. He celebrated the golden anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood in 1998. After his retirement, he served as chaplain at St. Mary’s Medical Center from 1999 to 2007, helped out in parishes throughout the Diocese of Evansville as a weekend presider, and served as a caregiver for retired priests, especially taking them to their doctors’ appointments. Father Brune was born May 22, 1923, in Evansville, the son of Alois J. and Marie B. (Olminghof) Brune. He was baptized at St. Anthony Church, Evansville, and confirmed at St. Boniface Church, Evansville. He attended St. Boniface School, and St. Meinrad High School, College and Seminary, and he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman on May 22, 1948, at Assumption Cathedral in Evansville. He said his first Mass at St. Boniface Church on May 23, 1948. His first assignment was assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Vincennes in 1948. His subsequent assignments included • Assistant pastor at St. Joseph Church, Evansville, 1951; • Pastor, Holy Angels Church, New Harmony, 1954; • Pastor, St. Clement Church, Boonville, and mission church, St. Rupert Church, Red Brush, 1962; • Pastor, St. Agnes Church, Evansville, 1969; • Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Evansville, 1978; • Pastor, St. John Church, Elberfeld, (later known as Daylight) 1984. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Lois Marie Brune, and a brother Paul C. Brune. Survivors include three sisters, Elizabeth O’Daniel of Omaha, Neb., Isabelle Preske and Jeanette Knapp, both of Evansville, and two brothers, Judge William J. Brune of Evansville and Thomas J. Brune of Poseyville. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 18, at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger will preside with concelebrating priests and deacons of the diocese. Visitation will be held at St. Benedict Cathedral on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 9:45 a.m. until the time of the funeral. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery on the Olminghof plot. Pierre Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Fr. James Brune

May 22, 1923 - September 15, 2008