John Herbert Brunner, 82, Fairfield, PA passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family while lovingly holding his wife’s hand.
He was born September 20, 1943 in Chambersburg, PA the son of Herbert R. Brunner and Hilda I. Caldwell Weaver and her husband Garnet Weaver.
John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia “Patt” Kuhn Brunner.
John served in the US Navy aboard an aircraft carrier, USS Bon Homme Richard CV-31, in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam conflict.
Nicknamed the “Mad Scientist” by his fellow firemen, he was a proud member of the Cashtown Fire Department, joining the department in 1976 and an active responder throughout the 80’s and 90’s. He retired from Gettysburg High School.
He was part of the morning “town council” group who met at the Fairfield Mini-Mart every morning to discuss politics, news and the latest town gossip. He always said that the gossip they heard in the morning would be at the other end of town by noon. He loved the beach, car shows, air shows, his cigars, and classic Corvettes.
In addition to his wife, John is survived by two daughters; Sacha Brunner-King and her husband Michael King of Concord, NC, Annie Cherry of Fairfield, PA, 5 grandchildren; Gabrielle Brunner-King, Ayden Brunner-King, Bryan Cherry, Skylar Hertz, Kolbi Hertz, 2 great grandchildren Hannah Cherry and Caleb Cherry, and a sister, Donna Mackey and her husband Floyd Mackey of Chambersburg, PA.
He was predeceased by a sister, Margaret Sprenkle.
A Celebration of John’s Life will take place in much hotter summer weather as he despised fall and especially winter.
Services will be set for a future date to be determined.
Online obituary and condolences available at the funeral home’s website.
