If anyone ever cared, really cared for someone else it would have to be Helen L. Bruner Brown. She was a warm hearted and well liked individual, and these wonderful traits came easily to her because she was such a sociable and amiable person, someone who was always making certain that those around her had whatever they needed. Helen was a talkative person who was tactful at all times but typically said what she meant.
Helen was born on March 26, 1922 at home in Abbottsville, Van Buren Township in Darke County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Ira Ivan and Laura Amelia Royer Foureman. Helen was raised in Greenville, Ohio. During her childhood she learned to be reliable and respectful. Helen was an obedient child who wanted to win the favor of others. She found it easy to show sympathy and to perform kind acts for others. These admirable qualities would become a part of Helen's personality throughout her life.
Though Helen was frequently the one to initiate games and activities with her family, she was also quite often the family member who took the role of referee. Helen was a peace-maker with an ability to resolve all sorts of family conflicts. In fact, Helen worked conscientiously to keep those typical family spats at bay. Helen was raised with four siblings, Margaret, Bill, Virginia and Jane. Helen and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another.
As someone who reveled in the sheer joy of her experiences, Helen was always enthusiastic about new adventures. Although she had an exacting nature, Helen was always tactful. One thing Helen will certainly be remembered for is that, when she got up in the mornings, she was ready and raring to go. As a young girl, Helen had a number of interests and was an active child. In her spare time she liked flowers and cooking. Helen's memorable achievements included staying with Ruth and Sheldon Vannoy and helped take care of their 3 children.
For Helen, the school routines were never a problem although she generally preferred variety to structure. She seemed to be able to start a project and work right through to its completion. And she was able to do it quickly and efficiently. Helen was also adept at details. Helen was very observant and was generally quick at picking up new things. She graduated from Greenville High School in 1940. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite classes in high school were Home Economics and English.
There was one thing that all of Helen's friends knew and will still remember, and that is that she was a talker. She could pretty much talk to anybody about anything. This quality is one of the primary reasons that Helen was such a popular person throughout her life. But Helen was also dependable, loyal and trustworthy. Helen was the kind of person who simply radiated good fellowship. While she maintained personal standards and her own personal values, Helen was very accepting of others. With a distinct skill for working things out, Helen was often the person who would organize events. In fact, Helen was fairly comfortable playing the role of “host” for just about any occasion. When Helen made friends, she made true and lasting friendships. While growing up, her best friend was Mary Hollinger Detrick. Later in life, she became friends with Becky, Lucy and Rosella Weaver, Joyce Menger, Judy and Merlin Keeler, and Mary Hollinger Detrick.
Helen was a faithful and loving person. Some would even call her sentimental and a romantic at heart. Her kindness and consideration radiated an aura of warmth to those around her. Helen cared for what others thought and carried that into her marriage. On September 7, 1940 Helen married Otho Dwight Bruner in the yard at her parents home on Greenville Palestine Road, Greenville, Ohio. Compassionate and devoted, Helen worked hard to make her new life partner happy.
Harmony was important to Helen and she made every effort to maintain it with her family. Helen was blessed with four children, two sons, Ron (Norma) and Rick (Marcia), and two daughters, Sue (Steve) and Lynne (Harvey), stepson, Don (Barb), and a deceased stepdaughter, Jeanne. They were also blessed with grandchildren, Jeff, Shelley, Matt, Kim, Lynn, Wil, Ted, Becky, Julie, Rob, Lisa (deceased), David, Holly, Susan, Adam, Melody, Elizabeth, James, Mindi, Shelli and Greg. Great grandchildren, Alex, Erin, Seth, Tara, Emily, Derek, Jordan, Ethan, Ashley, Spencer, Conner, Ryan, Dan, Nick, Andrea, Landon, Chloe, Cade, Elizabeth, Sarah, Johnathan, Ella, Olivia, Moxon, Haddie, Joey, Calen, Austin, Ethan, Tyler, Hunter, Ayden, Hannah and Raven. Great great grandchildren, Bre'ana and Ellie. Helen was always conscious of the feelings others had. She was reasonable and understanding. As a result, Helen was quick to solve disputes and did so without much fuss. Her secret of success in this area was simple: Helen would listen before she would act.
Taking her work seriously came naturally to Helen, and she expected the same from those around her. Helen was a good team player, someone who was born to cooperate with others. She was what some would call a “people person” and it was demonstrated in her good communication skills. Helen was a steady worker, one who was realistic about schedules. The kind of details that would give family members and work colleagues fits were situations that Helen handled well. She could understand the details without getting lost in the broad “big picture.” Her primary occupation was a florist. She helped out on the farm, worked at Fram and G C Murphy. She owned two flower shops. She started her first flower shop on the farm. She then bought the flower shop on Martin Street known as Helen's Flowers. She bought it from Helen Bradley and is now located on Sweitzer Street. Later after selling Helen's Flowers, she worked at Calico Loft and Ansonia Flower Shop. She brought harmony to her work environment, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done, while always maintaining respect for her colleagues.
A methodical woman, Helen enjoyed spending time working on her various hobbies. She had no problem following all of the steps and instructions on a given project and was proud of the fact that she could have something to show for her efforts. Her favorite pursuits were flowers, painting, crafting, camping and fishing.
Helen was one of those people who took pride in constantly putting forth her best effort. Nowhere was that more visible than in sports. Helen was always enthusiastic and a great team player. Helen also liked being a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite teams whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were whatever the guys were watching.
Her keen interest in things that affected the lives of other people led Helen to become actively involved in professional and community organizations. Because she was outgoing and worked well with others, Helen did her fair share of volunteer work. And she wouldn’t shy away from taking the lead on committees or events, either. She was a born list maker and was great at creating and sticking to schedules. In high school, Helen was a member of the FHA - Future Homemakers of America. Throughout her later years, Helen was an active member of the Greenville Church of the Brethren Church Board and Red Hatters.
Helen was the kind of person who would readily move into action in order to help others. She was appreciated and respected. She could find value in the opinions of others and was passionate about her own values and beliefs. So it’s little wonder that she was active and highly valued by those in her community, serving on the flower committee at church.
Her high moral standards and traditional values served Helen well with her faith. Religion and faith were important to her. She was a member of the Greenville Church of the Brethren for 25 years. During that time, she was a Sunday School Teacher, Bible School Teacher and on the flower committee. She was well respected because she was such an outgoing individual who sought to help in any manner she could.
A generous and compassionate woman, Helen accomplished much during her lifetime. Though she never set out to gain individual recognition, Helen was recognized and given awards for her many and varied efforts throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included several florist awards.
Not only did Helen enjoy traveling, but she also seemed to enjoy planning all of those trips and vacations. She was a facilitator who could easily make up a near perfect schedule of all of the things to do and see. She rarely tired of going back and revisiting her favorite places. Favorite vacations included Tennessee Smokey Mountains and Florida.
Helen was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was Katie, a dog, who was a best friend for 7 years. Her family was rounded out by Brandy, a Cocker Spaniel.
Since it was easy for Helen to meet and get to know new people, she quickly made friends, even in retirement. Once she met those new friends, she loved sharing stories and talking about the good old days. Since she was practical and cost effective, Helen was ready when that day to retire finally came as she retired from Fram in the mid 1970's and retired from Helen's Flowers in the mid 1980's. Even in retirement, Helen stayed in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities that retirement offered her.
Helen passed away on November 14, 2012 at the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio. She died of congestive heart failure. She is survived by her children Ron, Rick, Sue and Lynne; sisters, Virginia and Jane. Services were held at the Greenville Church of the Brethren in Greenville, Ohio. Helen was laid to rest in Greenville Township Memorial Gardens, Greenville, Ohio.
Helen was a fantastic conversationalist who could engage just about anyone in a discussion. And whenever she said something, she meant it. Helen was a down to earth person, outgoing and gregarious. She was without question the type of person who enjoyed experiencing things first hand. She was practical and sensible, but what friends and family will remember her for most is the fact that she was so understanding and kind. Everyone whose life she touched will miss Helen L. Bruner Brown.
* * * * * * * * * *
Helen L. Bruner Brown, age 90 of Greenville, Ohio passed away at 1:50 P.M. Wednesday November 14, 2012 at the Brethren Retirement Community. She was born March 26, 1922 in Darke County, Ohio and the daughter of the late Ira & Laura (Royer) Foureman.
Helen was retired from Fram Corporation of Greenville, and then was the original owner of Helen’s Flower Shop, also of Greenville until 1983.
Helen was a member of the Greenville Church of the Brethren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband Otho Bruner August 1, 1981; Husband Glen E. Brown September 12, 2003; son in law Joe Gunckle in 1990; granddaughter Lisa Dawn Gilpin in 1976; step daughter Carolyn “Jeannie” Eubank in 2011; brother Bill Foureman in 2011 and sister Margaret Delaplane.
Helen is survived by sons Ron & Norma Bruner of Greenville and Rick & Marcia Bruner of Arcanum; daughters Sue & Steven Shaffer of Denver, CO. and Lynne & Harvey Hinshaw of Arcanum; step son Don & Barbara Brown of Sebastian, Fl. There are 19 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, sisters Virginia Weyrick of Greenville and Jane Jobes of Arcanum and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday November 20, 2012 in the Greenville Church of the Brethren 421Central Ave., Greenville, Ohio with Pastor Todd Reish officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenville Township Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends on Monday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. in the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home Greenville, Ohio and on Tuesday from 9:30 A.M. until time of services in the church.
It is the wishes of the family that Memorial Contributions be given to the Charity of your choice.
Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18