Bob Ettner

Bob Ettner, 94, of McAlester, passed away at his home on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The family will welcome friends for visitation and viewing on Thursday, October 3, at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, October 4, at 10:30 a.m. at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Stephen Hale officiating. Entombment will follow at Memory Gardens Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Michael Echelle, Mark Lauerman, Gary Manos, Larry Barnett, Mark Hopper and Chris Kannady.
Bobby Joe Ettner was born on December 7, 1929 in Yale, Oklahoma to Fred Marion Ettner and Mary (Jones) Ettner. The family moved to McAlester when Bob was a young boy, and he completed his education here, graduating from McAlester High School. In 1950, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for a 4-year term. He married Jean A. Rainey while stationed in Alaska Territory, before it's statehood. They returned to McAlester in 1955 where Bob joined his father at Union Iron Works, a business the family had owned a stake in since the mid-1940's. Bob and his father purchased the remaining shares of Union Iron Works in 1957. Now known as Bemac Supply, the business is still in the Ettner family. Bob had served as Chairman of the Board since his father's death in 1973. Bob and Jean also built, owned and operated A-1 Ministorage in McAlester. Bob was also very community minded and served in civic clubs and on boards, including the Board of Directors of the First National Bank, the McAlester Economic Development Board, the McAlester Airport Advisory Board, and the McAlester Planning Commission. Also, he was a former President of the McAlester Country Club, member and former president of the McAlester Lions Club, member of the McAlester Masonic Lodge, and member of the McAlester Elks Lodge. Bob was also a long-time member of the Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, and now the First United Methodist Church. In his spare time, Bob enjoyed his hunting and fishing trips. Bob was also a licensed pilot who had a passion for flying his own planes.
Bob is survived by his children, Fred Ettner and wife Tonya, and Darlene Anderson; his grandchildren, Samantha Kobs and husband Brandon, Dylan Anderson, Sydney Neumaier and husband Josh, Kylie Martin, Garrett Martin, Chanda Gaither, and Cody Gaither; and a great granddaughter, Caroline Kobs He was preceded n death by his parents; his wife, Jean, in 2008; a daughter, Deborah Ettner; a son, Robert Ettner; and a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Gilbert Wollmann.