Arthur Richard Brueggeman

PABLO — Arthur Richard Brueggeman joined his wife Doris in Heaven on May 26, 2005

Art was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on Jan. 27, 1922 to Harry C. Brueggeman and Mary Conroy. He weighed three pounds at birth and could fit in his dad's hat.

Art had a paper route and worked as an usher in a theater as a young man. He was a devoted son, and he always helped his mother with the many household chores.

Art served in the Navy during World War II and was a survivor of the battle of Midway.

He married his first wife, Melanie Basler, in Seattle, on Sept. 4, 1943. They had seven children together and later divorced.

On Jan. 9, 1957, he married Doris Jule Stinger. Through their marriage, he was a father to Doris's four children. Art and Doris had three children together in their marriage.

Art had a pilot's license and he had many stories to tell about flying in the Mission Valley. During his marriage to Melanie, he was a beekeeper.

Art was very proud of being in the Ironworker's Union. After he retired from the union, he was a bus driver for School District 30 for several years.

Art was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He spent his life taking care of his family and he always put them first. He was a loving, gentle, giving and respected man.

God truly was the center of his life and it was reflected in everything he did and said. He was a strong advocate of Right to Life and switched to the Republican Party to support his belief, after being a lifetime Democrat. Art enjoyed attending the Latin Mass for the past eight years.

Art's family kept their promise to him, as they cared for him at home during his courageous battle with cancer. Art was cared for in his home by his daughter Jule and granddaughters Lisa Brueggeman, Ashley Kenmille, Savannah Kenmille and Josephine Coffey. Great-grandchildren Dorissa Garza, LaBenza and D'Anja Charlo, Sharaeha McCrea and Kainin Coffey shared ice cream and candy with him and entertained him daily. He will be greatly missed by all of his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Melanie Martin; his wife Doris Brueggeman; sons Dan and Leo Brueggeman; grandchildren Richard Brueggeman and Surenya Charlo; and brothers Bill and Joseph Brueggeman.

Art is survived by his daughters Anna Turney of Spokane, Melanie (Bill) Buckless of Polson, Margret Arneson of Polson, Geneva White of Ronan, Debby (Tony) Adams of Pablo, Jule Kenmille of Pablo, Mary (Ray) Goudette of Spokane; sons Mike (Jackie) Brueggeman of Spokane, Paul (Sue) Brueggeman of Polson, Leonard White of Monroe, Wash., Doug (Jean) White of Fort Worth, Texas, Art Brueggeman Jr. of Ronan; sister Mary Cannon; and brothers George (Mary) Brueggeman and Bud (June) Brueggeman, all of Cleveland, Ohio; 47 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

A Latin Mass was celebrated at the Ronan Indian Senior Citizens Center with Father Martin Skierka officiating. Interment with military honors will take place at the Ronan Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.