Allan Kent BRUNER, REV

Rev, Allan Kent Bruner
Feb 15, 1954 - Mar 26, 2000

Ivan Raymond Porter
US Army
World War II
July 12, 1921 - July 3, 2001

*Obituary

Ivan Raymond Porter, 79, of Conway died Tuesday (July 3, 2001) in Conway.

Born July 12, 1921, in Wetmore, Colo., a son of the late Harl Earnest and Evalyn Clare Betts Porter, he was a retired range conservationist and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Conway. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran of the 81st infantry division. He graduated from Gypson High School in Gypson, Colo. in 1939 and Colorado State University. He spent 38 years in the U.S. Army National Guard, 32 years working for the federal government and was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Noon Lions Club.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Porter, sisters Phyllis Porter Camerlo and Mildred Porter Bonocinni, a son-in-law, Allan Kent Bruner and his first wife Reba Betty Kitner Porter, who he was married to for 45 years.

Survivors are his wife, Nona Ruth Porter; a son and daughter-in-law, Ivan Richard and Brenda Porter of Dallas; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Patti Porter and Michael Hendricks of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Pamela Porter and Greg Wren of Conway and Paula Porter Bruner of Conway; a brother, Harold Porter of Delta, Colo.; nine grandchildren, Amber Lea Wren, Ashlie Kay Wren, Ali Anne Wren, Rebecca Lyn Hendricks, Melissa Ray Hendricks, Ivan Nicholas Porter, Sarah Elizabeth Porter, Katelyn Elizabeth Bruner and Callie Anne Burner; one-stepgrandson, Jeremy Allan Bruner; three stepsons, David Porter, Bernie Porter and Bobby Porter; one stepdaughter, Lenora Porter Allison and 12 step grandchildren.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Conway with the Rev. Philip Hathcock officiating. The body will be cremated.

Pallbearers are the U.S. Military. Honorary pallbearers are John Kunkle, Jerry March, Ron Hieronymus, Ferris Baker, Bill Johnson and the Noon Lions Club.

Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, the International Lions Club or the American Cancer Society.

*Obituary

Allan Kent Bruner, 46, long-time director of Christian education at First United Methodist Church, died Sunday (March 28, 2000), after a two-year struggle with cancer.
A diaconal (lay) minister commissioned by the denomination's North Arkansas Conference, Mr. Bruner had served the Conway church for 24 years, and his tenure is thought to be the longest served by a ministry-staff member in the church's 130-year history.
At a June 1996 appreciation banquet honoring him on his 20th anniversary with the church, he told church members, "You are my family; I love every one of you."
Throughout his ministry, Mr. Bruner influenced the lives of hundreds of church members. Although his duties included oversight of all the education programs, he was most visibly involved with the church's youth and their parents. He was a much loved and much respected leader, counselor and friend.
Mr. Bruner frequently used his love of music and the outdoors to enrich his ministry. He was a talented guitar player, a skilled craftsman and woodworker, and enjoyed camping, and used these talents to help others.
"Allan touched the hearts of many, many people," said Nancy Mulhearn, youth director at the church.
His music and story-telling talents enriched his work with children's groups. According to the Rev. Philip Hathcock, the church's senior pastor, the statement that most characterized Allan's life was made by one of the members, who said: "He helped us raise our children."
Mr. Bruner's influence on young people was inestimable, says Milton Davis, a friend and fellow communicant. Davis' wife, Claudia, echoed his words.
"He was a wonderful man and the epitome of a Christian," Davis said. "His work in the church was vital and his missionary efforts were outstanding. Many of his ideas were adopted by the Methodist Conference. In the 25 years of his service to the church he worked with young people and did so much for them, including my son, Granger, who virtually grew up with him."
Mrs. Davis made the assertion that Mr. Bruner was a member of her extended family, and he touched many lives in the church and community "and some we were not even aware of."
She said the young churchman was a gentile person, a gentile spirit and "we will be eternally grateful for all he did for us." She noted there was no job too small or too large for Mr. Bruner to attempt. "He worked on our church vans, he mopped floors, he did everything that was needed to be done.
"Everybody in our church can claim a part of Allan Bruner."
From Jim Beal, a former pastor of the church from 1979 to 1985, came reflections on his association with Mr. Bruner when the young man was his education director.
"I never had a better colleague," Beal said. "We were very close and, in fact, he and my son enjoyed a fine relationship."
Another longtime friend, J. D. Gingerich, recalled his affection for Mr. Bruner, who he called a willing leader willing to do anything for his church and for others.
Gingerich recalled, "He could be found working on a sewer pipe as well as teaching a Bible class." He possessed "a real heart for kids," Gingerich said, and his influence and patience with them was wonderful.
Mr. Bruner was a talented individual, Gingerich declared, adding Mr. Bruner felt he was called to do church work, and that undoubtedly was the reason he stayed with it as long as he did.
"He was totally committed to his work and he was comfortable doing it."
Mr. Bruner was also a leader in launching the church's Disciple Bible Study series.
In addition to his duties at the local church, Mr. Bruner was active in outdoor ministries and other education programs of the denomination's North Arkansas Conference. He was one of five founders of Ozark Mission Project, a summer program in which youth groups from throughout the conference help needy families with home improvement and related projects. He was a 15-year member of the agency board of directors and had served as its chairman. He was active in the development of the Mount Eagle Conference Center near Clinton.
Mr. Bruner was serving on the denomination's Conference Board of Ordained Ministry at the time of his death. He had also served as chairman of the Education and Personnel committees and had been a member of the former Diaconal Ministry Board.
Born Feb. 15, 1954, at Jonesboro, son of the Rev. Jesse Albert and Venita Isbell Bruner of Jonesboro, he was a graduate of Gravette High School and Hendrix College. He was a charter member of the Conway Morning Rotary Club, served on the community Red Ribbon campaign and represented Arkansas Rotarians in a visit to India in 1998.
Survivors are his wife, Paula Porter Bruner; two daughters, Katelyn Elizabeth, 10, and Callie Anne, 5, both of Conway; a son, Jeremy Allan Bruner, a student at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; a sister, Janice Corter of Mountain View; a brother, Gregory Bruner of Cherokee Village; and his paternal grandmother, Mertie Bruner of Bay.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist with the Revs. Philip Hathcock, Davida Corbin-Autry and Dee Edwards officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, Mount Eagle Conference Center, Allan K. Bruner Ozark Mission Project Scholarship Fund, CARTI of Conway or the American Cancer Society.

Contributed on 2/7/23 by hawkinsdonna48
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 1470358

Don't Follow