Henry Martin Brunk Jr., 95, went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at his home in Harrisonburg, VA. He was born in Denbigh, VA on September 2, 1929, a son of the late Henry M. and Nora Kraus Brunk and spent his childhood living in Hyattsville, MD and youth in Harrisonburg. He graduated in 1946 from Eastern Mennonite High School. On April 12, 1952, he was united in marriage with Edna Marie Ebersole, who survives.

In addition to his wife of 72 years, he is survived by daughters Patricia Brunk VanderMissen (husband Steven) of MO, Joan Brunk Baughman (husband Tracy) of VA, Paula Brunk Kuhns (husband Bruce) of OR, son Jeffrey Brunk (wife Eileen) of VA, daughter in-law Patty Brunk McNamar (husband Jerry) of KS, grandsons Matthew Brunk McNamar (wife Debra and Fagan daugthers), Kenneth McNamar, Marcos Wright-Kuhns (wife Beth), Stefan Baughman, Bryce Baughman (wife Hilary), Anthony VanderMissen, great grandsons Gabe and Jamie Wright-Kuhns, a sister in-law Mary Louise Brunk, sister-in-law Esther Ebersole Lepley (husband Jim), brother-in-law Elmer (wife Jan) Ebersole, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Merle Edward Brunk, sisters Esther and husband Norman Loux, Ellen Griffen, Ruth and husband Ray Horst, Alma and husband Leonard Baer, brothers Nelson and wife Ruth Brunk, Perry and wife Fern Brunk, Joe Brunk, and brother-in-law Lewis and wife Betty Ebersole.

Henry loved and served the Lord, while caring for his family and friends. He enjoyed sharing his beautiful baritone voice both as song leader and soloist and served many years as a church trustee. He and Edna enjoyed traveling with their children through many continental US. states and Canadian Provinces and later he and Edna internationally.

In 1952 he was one of nine persons who founded the Hyattsville Mennonite Church in MD and was an active member for 52 years. He served on the board of Jubilee Association of Maryland, an organization serving adults with disabilities and also enjoyed helping at the International Guesthouse, Washington, DC, a Mennonite Church outreach ministry to internationals. He was an Association Member of Laurelville Mennonite Church Center for 60 years and served on their board. He enjoyed taking his family to LMCC annually for Family Music Week, and he and Edna also spent a year (‘80-81) volunteering there. Upon moving to Harrisonburg 20 years ago, he became an active member of Lindale Mennonite Church.

Henry spent 30 years purchasing materials at Peoples Supply, Inc. Bladensburg, MD, a family-owned building supply company which his father started in 1932. He loved his work and the people he worked with, building strong and lasting relationships. Once he retired and moved to Harrisonburg he found great pleasure in attending Bowman’s Auctions, purchasing items to donate to Harrisonburg’s Gift and Thrift and other charitable thrift stores. He loved thinking of others as he bought items and was often heard saying, “I thought of you when I saw this!”

Henry has donated his body to medical science. A Memorial Service will be held at Lindale Mennonite Church on Sunday, November 3rd at 4:00 pm. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In Henry’s memory, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee (21 S 12th Street, Akron, PA 17501) or to Laurelville Mennonite Church Center (941 Laurelville Lane, Mount Pleasant, PA 15666).