Born: April 12,1924

Died: Aug. 15,2012

Dr. John Bruni, 88, of First Court, Niles, died at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in his home following an extended illness.

Dr. Bruni was born April 12, 1924, in Detroit to Johannes Gottlieb and Alma (Reidlinger) Bruni. A graduate of Wayne State University’s Medical School, he moved from Detroit to Lansing and then joined the family practice of Dr. Harold Pritchard in Niles. He lent his intellect and insight to the office of medical examiner for those dying of sudden deaths.

Dr. Bruni retired in 1999 after 43 years as a physician and was not bashful in citing rising medical malpractice insurance as the reason. From a positive viewpoint, he had witnessed many advances in medicine, including heart bypass surgery, of which he had had two.

On June 12,1982, in Frostburg, Md., he married JoAnn Pullen, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Cheryl (Vince) Stewart, of Algonac; and sons, Matthew (Lisa), of Niles, Mark (Sherry), of West Bloomfield, and Robert, of Granger, Ind. Thirteen grandchildren also survive, and stepdaughters, Debbie (Kirk) Hansen, of Niles, Leslie Pullen, of Indiana Harbor Beach, Fla., and stepson, Richard (Debbie) Pullen, of Tampa, Fla. A brother, William, of Lancaster, Ohio, survives.

A son, John F. Bruni, Ph.D, preceded him in death.

A celebration of Dr. Bruni’s life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be given to either the Berrien County Cancer Service or Hospice at Home.

Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is completing arrangements.