NORMAN F. BRAUN

NORMAN F. BRAUN, 97, of Fort Wayne, passed away at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. He was born April 8, 1918 in New Haven, Ind., a son of the late John Braun and Julia (Lepper) Braun. He married Edna Oehler on July 5, 1941 in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Soest and she preceded him in death on Dec. 27, 1994. Norm was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Soest, where he had been a former Trustee of the church. He was a member of the American Legion Post #330 of New Haven; H.A.A.A.; and the UAW Local of Fort Wayne. He enjoyed horseshoe competitions in the Hoagland and Decatur areas. He also enjoyed euchre, fishing, and traveling. His travels often included polka dancing, which resulted in stops in Germany. College basketball was a favorite winter hobby which included his love for Tom Izzo, Duke, and Indiana University. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. He retired on June 30, 1978 from International Harvester in Fort Wayne as a carpenter after 36 years of service. Surviving are his sons, Jack (Joy) Braun of Kendallville and Lonnie (Gary King) Braun of Fort Wayne; daughters, Diane (Gary) Lybarger of Hoagland, Linda (Terry) Melcher of Woodburn and Debbie (Steve) Fuelling of Fort Wayne; 13 grandchildren, Kirk (Meegan) Braun, Todd (Loraine) Braun, Kristen (Shane) Mulholland, Amy (Norm) Hedges, Anna (Jason) Barile, Aaron (Marj) Lybarger, Geoff (Stephanie) Braun, Scott (Cassie) Braun, Brian (Gretchen) Andrus, Kyle (Jasmine) Andrus, Abby (Seth) Mann, Carly (fiance Anthony Yu) Fuelling and Jenna Fuelling; 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Edward, Earl, Martin, Richard and Ralph Braun; and three sisters, Gladys Braun, Mildred Springer and Ethel Hilbish. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Soest, 9909 Wayne Trace, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. Pastor Peter Brock officiating. Visitation also from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at the church. Burial at Concordia Gardens in Fort Wayne. Military graveside service will be conducted by the American Legion Post #330 of New Haven, Ind. Memorials to Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Soest; Honor Flight NE Indiana or Worship for Shut-Ins. For complete obituary information and to sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com