John Michael Bruenderman

John Michael Bruenderman, 74, of Cape Girardeau, passed away peacefully at Southeast Hospital on Monday, April 27, 2020, surrounded by his beloved family. John was born in Cairo, IL on July 31, 1945, the son of Raymond and Louise Bruenderman of Charleston, MO. He grew up in Charleston, attending St. Henry’s Catholic School, later graduating from Notre Dame Regional High School in 1963. During his high school years, John played baseball and basketball, and ran track. He continued his education at Southeast Missouri State University. John was a member of the Missouri National Guard, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, and the Knights of Columbus. He and Sandra Russell were married on August 28, 1965, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Charleston. They celebrated 54 years of marriage in 2019. For more than 26 years, John worked at Sears in Cape Girardeau, where he sold countless appliances to three generations of loyal customers. When the time came for his next career, John forged ahead and founded Bruenderman Appraisal Service, providing trusted home appraisals to the surrounding region until his retirement in 2016. John enjoyed photography, traveling the world, and watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball. He was a man of enduring faith, whose greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and nephew. He never missed a ball game, track meet, tennis match, dance recital, or award ceremony, taking immense pride in each of their accomplishments. John was everything that a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend should be; consistently patient and kind, always encouraging, and there when you needed him, no matter the circumstance. Ever the soft-spoken voice of reason and good advice, quick to smile and laugh with a twinkle in his eyes, his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. John was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Joe Bruenderman, and his treasured niece, Sahara Aldridge. He is survived by his wife, Sandy; son, Darrin (Jill) Bruenderman; grandchildren, Carson, Elise, Claire, Evan and Cole; sister-in-law, Amy (Shannon) and nephew Nash Aldridge; brothers, Don Bruenderman and Bill (Ann) Bruenderman; sisters, Mary Ellen (Mark) Hails, and Rose Ann (Terry) Nadler; special niece, Ruth Windings, a host of nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends, Mike and Daryl Kepner. A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be held at a later date. Please visit fordandsonsfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in honor of John to St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 1913 Ritter Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or Notre Dame Regional High School, 265 Notre Dame Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

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John Michael Bruenderman

July 31, 1945 - April 27, 2020