John E. Brenner Sr.

1940 - 2022

John E. Brenner, Sr., 81, passed to eternal life at his Marine City home on July 1, 2022, with his family by his side. John was born to Ervin and Elberna (Armstrong) Brenner in Cottrellville Township on July 15, 1940, and was raised on the family's Plank Road dairy farm, where his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all farmed, dating back to the 1860's. He attended Marine City Schools where he excelled in basketball, football and baseball. John's faith formation began at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Marine City and continued throughout his life. He was most recently a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Clair. John met Gale Kersten on a blind date and the couple married in 1960. They resided in Algonac for many years where they raised their children, Wendy, Kersten, and John, Jr. The Brenner family hosted many foreign exchange students over the years, several of whom remain close friends and who join the family in mourning John's passing. Together with partners, Harry & Betty Ceder, John & Gale owned and operated Henry's on the River for 35 years. John and Harry carried on the tradition begun by Gale's parents and Henry's was renown throughout the region and beyond for its excellent meals, amazing river view, and unparalleled hospitality. Scores of local folks got their first jobs at Henry's and the stories and memories of hard work and great fun under John and Harry's watchful eyes (and behind their backs) are still regularly retold. After retiring from Henry's, John kept busy with various jobs and interests. He and Gale moved to Port Charlotte, Florida, for 12 years where they made many lasting friendships. While in Florida, John worked for Bealls Florida and was actively involved at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where he and Gale hosted many church family dinners and volunteered at the food pantry, preparing and distributing countless meals to those in need. John also volunteered over the years with multiple churches and groups, including the Algonac Lions Club, Meals for Shut-ins, Toys for Tots and on Mission in Virginia and Panama. John and Gale loved to entertain their friends and family at holiday and family celebrations, where each meal began with a prayer of thanksgiving and John's signature addition of "Praise the Lord and Pass the Food!" John was a man of many interests. He was an avid reader. He enjoyed years of hunting and fishing, gardening and canning his home grown produce. He enjoyed cooking and baking, an interest he shared with his children and grandchildren. Family, friends, and neighbors will miss the regular deliveries of John's baked and canned goods. Most of all, John loved to work with wood and spent countless hours in his workshop creating furniture, birdhouses and feeders, planter boxes, and, most recently, model trucks and tractors, which will be treasured by his family for generations to come. John's greatest pleasure came from his family and many friends. He was affectionately known to many as Big John or Papa John and to his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, as "Bub." In addition to his wife of 62 years, John is survived by his children, Wendy May, of Glennie, Kersten (Robert) Goldenbogen, of Cottrellville Township, and John E. (Karen) Brenner, Jr. of Glennie. He is also survived by grandchildren, Robert (April) May, Kristen May, Anna (Adam) Ellul, Robert (Alexa) Goldenbogen, Jr., Joseph Goldenbogen, John E. (Kelley) Brenner, III, Joshua (Heather) Brenner, and great-grandchildren Hunter and Brian May, Liam, Ruby, Harper, Everett, and Henry Brenner, and Ellie Goldenbogen, as well as many great friends, cousins, nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Floyd Blasingame, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Ann Kersten, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sally and George Lamb. Gale and the family will celebrate John's rich life and memory on September 17, 2022, at a memorial service and celebration of life at the Algonac Lion's Club, 1905 Mill St, Algonac. Guests will be greeted starting at 11:00 a.m. and Pastor Alan Schweiger will officiate the ceremony starting at 11:30 a.m. after which we will raise a toast and share a meal and memories.