Ivan E. "I. E." Brunk, 97, of South Hutchinson, died Jan. 14, 2011, at the Graber House in South Hutchinson at Mennonite Manor. He was born June 20, 1913, in Windom, the son of Jesse Robert and Sue Yoder Brunk. He graduated from Windom High School in 1932. He was an active member of South Hutchinson Mennonite Church. He was retired owner and operator of Brunk Oil Co., a bulk petroleum business that delivered gasoline throughout central Kansas. He had served on the Grove Grade School board and later on the Plainview Grade School board. He was a private pilot and had owned several airplanes during his life. After moving to South Hutchinson, he drove the Golden Express bus for many years.



He married Evelyn Grace Ely on Feb. 3, 1939, in Hesston. She died Nov. 8, 1950. He later married Mary Jane Hurt Smith on July 27, 1951, in Raton, New Mexico. She survives. Other survivors include: sons, Robert Brunk and wife Nancy, Larry Brunk and wife Dorothy, and Dennis Smith and wife Joyce, all of Inman; a daughter, Peggy Miller and husband Orvin, Hutchinson; a sister, Velma Hartzler, Hesston; two stepsisters, Odena Hostetler, Inman, and Mary Hochstedler, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Carol Ely, Hesston; 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Willard Brunk; a sister, Frieda Miller; and a granddaughter, Kelly Denise Miller.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, at South Hutchinson Mennonite Church, with Pastor Howard Wagler presiding. Burial will be in West Liberty Cemetery, near Windom. Mr. Brunk will lie in state Monday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The family will greet friends Tuesday evening 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be given to the Graber House at Mennonite Manor, or South Hutchinson Mennonite Church, or Hospice of Reno County, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson K S 67501. Friends may visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave the family a condolence.