Allen "Al" D. Brenning

Allen D. "Al" Brenning, 69, of Murphysboro, passed away at 9 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2018, at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna, Illinois. Al was born on July 13, 1949, in Chester, Illinois, to Albert and Oneta (Eggemeyer) Brenning. He was a graduate of the Sparta High School. Mr. Brenning honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict from 1969 to 1971, receiving the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and a Silver Star. He obtained the rank of Sergeant. Upon his return from service, Al worked as a union carpenter, a pressman at Spartan Printing, a coal miner at AMAX Coal, a general contractor at Brenning Construction Inc., a union carpenter at SIU, and finally as a Housing Maintenance Inspector at SIU until Alzheimer's Disease forced his retirement in 2015. Although he wore many hats during his working career, his greatest accomplishment was being a father. He was a role model and was the best uncle to his nieces and nephews. He volunteered many hours at the MBI ballfield, coaching his son's teams, working the fields, mowing grass, building dugouts, building the new concession stand and bathrooms, and generally doing anything that needed doing. He had great teachers at MBI, Bill Clough and Floyd Leggans. These men were an inspiration to Al, and now Adam is following in their footsteps. Mr. Brenning was a member of the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Carbondale. He was a member of the U.M.W.A. # 1650, the Carpenter's Local # 638, and the American Legion Post # 480 of Steeleville. Al married Jeanne Golliher on May 7, 1989, in Campbell Hill, and she survives of Murphysboro. Other survivors include one son and daughter in law Adam and Maggie Brenning and one grandson Sylas Allen Brenning, all of Murphysboro; two sisters Alberta Nitzsche of Mesa, AZ, and Ruth (Roger) Cortner of Hecker, IL; one step-sister Sandra (Mark) Colvis of Chester and one step-brother Dick (Audree) Bueckman of Chesterfield, MO; two sisters in law Janet Tellor (Brendan Tolan) of Carbondale (his favorite, don't tell Mare) and Mary Ann (Bob) Sommers of Owasso, OK( his favorite, don't tell Janet); one brother in law Jesse (Nancy) Golliher of Peculiar, MO; and many nieces and nephews. His body will be cremated and inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Warehouse in Murphysboro from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 13, 2018, and will begin with Military Honors conducted by the Paul Stout American Legion Post # 127 at 5 p.m. Thursday. The family would prefer memorials be made to the Activity Fund of the Illinois Veterans Home at Anna. For more information, please visit http://www.pettettfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank all of the caregivers and staff at the Illinois Veterans Home at Anna for the loving care that they gave to Al during his time at the Veterans Home.

Allen "Al" D. Brenning

July 13, 1949 - December 8, 2018