Individual Details

Allan Kent Bruner, 46, long-time director of Christian education at First United Methodist Church, died Sunday (March 28, 2000), after a two-year struggle with cancer.
A diaconal (lay) minister commissioned by the denomination's North Arkansas Conference, Mr. Bruner had served the Conway church for 24 years, and his tenure is thought to be the longest served by a ministry-staff member in the church's 130-year history.
At a June 1996 appreciation banquet honoring him on his 20th anniversary with the church, he told church members, "You are my family; I love every one of you."
Throughout his ministry, Mr. Bruner influenced the lives of hundreds of church members. Although his duties included oversight of all the education programs, he was most visibly involved with the church's youth and their parents. He was a much loved and much respected leader, counselor and friend.
Mr. Bruner frequently used his love of music and the outdoors to enrich his ministry. He was a talented guitar player, a skilled craftsman and woodworker, and enjoyed camping, and used these talents to help others.
"Allan touched the hearts of many, many people," said Nancy Mulhearn, youth director at the church.
His music and story-telling talents enriched his work with children's groups. According to the Rev. Philip Hathcock, the church's senior pastor, the statement that most characterized Allan's life was made by one of the members, who said: "He helped us raise our children."
Mr. Bruner's influence on young people was inestimable, says Milton Davis, a friend and fellow communicant. Davis' wife, Claudia, echoed his words.
"He was a wonderful man and the epitome of a Christian," Davis said. "His work in the church was vital and his missionary efforts were outstanding. Many of his ideas were adopted by the Methodist Conference. In the 25 years of his service to the church he worked with young people and did so much for them, including my son, Granger, who virtually grew up with him."
Mrs. Davis made the assertion that Mr. Bruner was a member of her extended family, and he touched many lives in the church and community "and some we were not even aware of."
She said the young churchman was a gentile person, a gentile spirit and "we will be eternally grateful for all he did for us." She noted there was no job too small or too large for Mr. Bruner to attempt. "He worked on our church vans, he mopped floors, he did everything that was needed to be done.
"Everybody in our church can claim a part of Allan Bruner."
From Jim Beal, a former pastor of the church from 1979 to 1985, came reflections on his association with Mr. Bruner when the young man was his education director.
"I never had a better colleague," Beal said. "We were very close and, in fact, he and my son enjoyed a fine relationship."
Another longtime friend, J. D. Gingerich, recalled his affection for Mr. Bruner, who he called a willing leader willing to do anything for his church and for others.
Gingerich recalled, "He could be found working on a sewer pipe as well as teaching a Bible class." He possessed "a real heart for kids," Gingerich said, and his influence and patience with them was wonderful.
Mr. Bruner was a talented individual, Gingerich declared, adding Mr. Bruner felt he was called to do church work, and that undoubtedly was the reason he stayed with it as long as he did.
"He was totally committed to his work and he was comfortable doing it."
Mr. Bruner was also a leader in launching the church's Disciple Bible Study series.
In addition to his duties at the local church, Mr. Bruner was active in outdoor ministries and other education programs of the denomination's North Arkansas Conference. He was one of five founders of Ozark Mission Project, a summer program in which youth groups from throughout the conference help needy families with home improvement and related projects. He was a 15-year member of the agency board of directors and had served as its chairman. He was active in the development of the Mount Eagle Conference Center near Clinton.
Mr. Bruner was serving on the denomination's Conference Board of Ordained Ministry at the time of his death. He had also served as chairman of the Education and Personnel committees and had been a member of the former Diaconal Ministry Board.
Born Feb. 15, 1954, at Jonesboro, son of the Rev. Jesse Albert and Venita Isbell Bruner of Jonesboro, he was a graduate of Gravette High School and Hendrix College. He was a charter member of the Conway Morning Rotary Club, served on the community Red Ribbon campaign and represented Arkansas Rotarians in a visit to India in 1998.
Survivors are his wife, Paula Porter Bruner; two daughters, Katelyn Elizabeth, 10, and Callie Anne, 5, both of Conway; a son, Jeremy Allan Bruner, a student at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; a sister, Janice Corter of Mountain View; a brother, Gregory Bruner of Cherokee Village; and his paternal grandmother, Mertie Bruner of Bay.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist with the Revs. Philip Hathcock, Davida Corbin-Autry and Dee Edwards officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, Mount Eagle Conference Center, Allan K. Bruner Ozark Mission Project Scholarship Fund, CARTI of Conway or the American Cancer Society.

Birth	15 Feb 1954	Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas
Death	26 Mar 2000	Arkansas
Obituary	28 Mar 2000	Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas
Burial		First United Methodist Church Columbarium, Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas

Spouse	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living

Father	Jesse Albert Bruner (1930 - 2010)
Mother	Venita Fern Isbell (1931 - 2018)
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living

Notes