Russell L. "Russ" Braunecker (73) of Effingham

Russell L. “Russ” Braunecker, 73 of Effingham, passed away at 8:07 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 14 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the St. Anthony Parish Center. Memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony Schools.

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Russ was born December 23, 1942 in Huntingburg, Indiana, the son of Bernita (Smith) Braunecker. He married Brenda K. Purdy on September 25, 1965 and she survives. Russ came to Effingham from Huntingburg, IN in 1956 and began his lifelong journey in the car business as an attendant at a local service station. He continued on to become a "wash boy" and then a Body Shop Manager at Dan Hecht Chevrolet. He then founded Russ' Auto Body in 1972 prior to opening Russ Braunecker Olds, Cadillac, GMC in 1983 followed by Boulder Chevrolet, Buick in 1999. The only aspect of his life that he was more proud of than his business was his family. Anyone that knew Russ knew that his family ranked above all else. His greatest joy was the time spent at home with his entire family under one roof. Sunday's at Mimi and Papa's defined his life with him grilling dinner, grandchildren playing and family visiting around the breezeway table. He was most proud of his children and 12 grandchildren and was a shining example of how to live life and love others. Outside of his passion for his family and business, Russ was a great friend to most and a best friend to many. His charisma and charm would light up a room and created a natural attraction to others. His genuine love was obvious to all. He was known as the first to give and the last to take and he put all others above himself. He was a mentor, a leader, a teacher and a provider to so many. He was a true and most beloved friend. Russ was an avid IU Hoosiers basketball fan, enjoyed watching Major League Baseball games, loved country, bluegrass and gospel music and deer hunting at his farm with friends and family. His favorite thing to do though was to make others happy and create joy in people's lives.

Russ is survived by his wife, Brenda of Effingham; mother-in-law, Verna M. Purdy of Effingham; three sons, Tal Brodi (Amy) of Effingham, Darek Russell (Shelley) of Little Rock, Arkansas and Matthew Dean (Elizabeth) of Effingham; one daughter, Kortney Diane (Bart) Willenborg of Effingham; twelve grandchildren, Brody Loren Braunecker, Trey Russell Braunecker, Cole Russell Braunecker, Reed Loren Willenborg, Logan Alexandra Braunecker, Avery Marie Braunecker, Will Robert Willenborg, Gavin Dean Braunecker, Elizabeth Buchanan Braunecker, Rilie Meg Willenborg, Aidan James Braunecker and Russell Everett Braunecker.

Russ was preceded in death by his mother, Bernita and his father-in-law, Loren A. Purdy.