Nicholas Bruckner, 64
Born: Feb. 13, 1948
Died: Oct. 4, 2012

Nicholas Peter “Nick” Bruckner, 64, of Niles, died Thursday afternoon, Oct. 4, 2012, while swimming in the Pacific Ocean near Boca Tomatlan, Jalisco, Mexico.

He was born Feb. 13, 1948, in Wolfratshausen, Bavaria, Germany, to Edward and Edith (Kardoss) Bruckner. He lived most of his life in South Bend and Niles and graduated from South Bend Clay High School. He was a veteran of the Vietnam Era, serving in the Seventh Special Forces — the “Green Berets” — of the United States Army. He recently retired as the owner/operator of the Discount Muffler and Tire Company, now known as DMT, in South Bend.

Nick was a member of the Real Life Church in Niles. He had a special passion for the mission field in Haiti, making many trips there, and sending support both financially and by the container-load.

He enjoyed golfing and fishing, but his greatest joy was his family, and especially his grandchildren.

On Nov. 25, 1972, at Mapleview Free Methodist Church in Niles, he married the former Darlene Potts, with whom he would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary next month.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene Bruckner, and by their sons, Geza (Kelly) Bruckner, A’kos (Sherry) Bruckner and Bela (Stephanie) Bruckner, all of Niles; grandchildren, Balazs, Katie, Dawson, Chase, Kyle, Evan, Jillian, Ben and Mason; and Nick’s sister and brother, Edith (Bill) Murray of Edwardsburg and Dr. Geza (Beverly) Bruckner of Versailles, Ky.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Edith “Vicki” Bruckner, and by his brother-in-law, Dale Ferguson.

The funeral service for Nick Bruckner will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at First Missionary Church in Niles with Pastor Jared Eckerly of the Real Life Church officiating, assisted by the Rev. Ecclesias Donatien of the Tabernacle of Praise in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, and Mr. Tom Harmon, a friend of Nick.

The service will conclude in the churchyard with full military honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post 51 of Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday at the First Missionary Church.

Contributions in memory of Nick may be made to the Tabernacle of Praise in Haiti c/o the First Missionary Church.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.