Milton Bruder Obituary

Milton Charles Bruder died Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. He was 84.

Known as "Milt," he was born to Edward and Agatha Bruder on Feb. 25, 1928, in Rogers City, Mich.

During World War II, he dropped out of high school and got his parents' permission to enlist in the Navy. Mr. Bruder was an air traffic controller stationed at Port Lyautey in French Morocco, where he received a medal for preventing a collision between two airplanes.

After he completed his military service, he returned to Midland, Mich., where he graduated from high school and went on to attend two years at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.

On June 11, 1949, he married Jane DeWese in Midland.

Mr. Bruder worked as a shipping and receiving clerk for Dow Corning Corp. for 36½ years.

He attended Emanuel Baptist Church in Midland and was the pastor of Sanford First Baptist Church in Sanford, Mich.

"He ministered to the sick in nursing homes and in their own homes and to the troubled in jails and prisons," his family said.

Mr. Bruder was an avid outdoors man. He enjoyed camping with his family, particularly at Otsego Lake State Park in Gaylord, Mich. He enjoyed swimming, hiking and hunting with children and grandchildren, and he enjoyed teaching them all outdoor skills. He also enjoyed reading a good book, his family said.

When he and his wife moved to Pagosa Springs in 1998, he continued to hunt for elk and deer with his sons.

"He loved the spectacular beauty of Colorado and all it had to offer," his family said. "Milt was a gentle spirit with love and care for all he was in contact with. He also loved God with all of his heart."

Mr. Bruder is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jane Bruder, of Pagosa Springs; sons David Bruder, Steven Bruder and Thomas Bruder, all of Pagosa Springs, Russell Bruder of Olympia, Wash., and James Bruder of Bay City, Mich.; daughter, Cynthia Isaacs, of East Lansing, Mich.; 10 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Cremation will occur. A memorial service will be held at a later date.