Jack William Brunell

Jack William Brunell, our beloved father, of Byron, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2025, at his home. He was 86 years old.

Born September 10, 1938, in Detroit, he was the son of John W. and Ruth D. (Ohlert) Brunell Jr. Jack graduated from St. Catherine Catholic High School in Detroit in 1956. He married Glenda Kennedy on October 18, 1958, in Detroit. Jack was a longtime resident of the Byron area, moving there in 1973 from Warren. He was a past member of the First United Methodist Church of Byron for many years and a current member of St Joseph Catholic Church in Gaines, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a volunteer for the Byron Area Ambulance Service as an EMT for 10 years, and a member of the Model A Restorer’s Club for over 40 years. He retired from General Motors in 1998 after working for 34 years, working at various plants as a designer and supervisor, and securing a patent for one of his many innovative ideas. Jack was active right up until the end, participating in the church choir, local stock club, Friday night Fish Fry, dominoes game nights, and his favorite hobby, stained glass. He made and gave away hundreds of original glass creations for people, including crosses, initials, and beautiful angels, some of which are in the church windows.

He is survived by his son, Jerome, and his wife, Frances Hernandez-Brunell of Casa Grande, AZ; his daughter, Deborah Brunell and husband, Vic Betterly of Houghton, MI; daughter-in-law, Kathryn Brunell of Byron; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a brother, David, and his wife, Nancy Rice of Amarillo, TX and his special friend, Janice Richardson, of Byron.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda, in 2016, his son, Kenneth, in 2018, his parents, and two sisters, Jacqueline June and Marilyn Brunell.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11am at St. Joseph Church in Gaines, 9450 Duffield Rd, Gaines, MI 48436, with Father Santhiyagu Arockiyasamy officiating. Interment will follow at Byron Cemetery, and a luncheon at the church after that. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 3-7pm at Sharp Funeral Home, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473, and one hour prior to Mass on Monday at the church. In honor of Jack, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church.