Vernon Herman Bruns, 86, of Granite City, Ill., born Oct. 24, 1927, in Nameoki Township, Ill., died at 4:20 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Mr. Bruns was in the farming business, and was a member of the Farm Bureau and Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August W. and Clara, nee Kosten, Bruns Sr.; a brother, August Bruns Jr.; and sister, Ruth Bohnenstiehl.

Surviving are his wife, Elaine, nee Helmich, Bruns, whom he married on Nov. 18, 1950; two sons, Thomas (Terry) Bruns of Burr Ridge, Ill., and Ronald Bruns of Granite City, Ill.; daughter, Karen, nee Bruns, Brown of Granite City, Ill.; nine grandchildren; sister, Dorothy (Richard) Hoffmann of Springfield, Ill.; and sister-in-law, Marguerite Bruns of Belleville, Ill.

Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com

Funeral: Funeral services and graveside services will be private under the direction of Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill.