Mart Brunke Obituary

Mart Brunke
Born: June 19, 1948 in Villa Park, IL
Died: March 15, 2026 in Joliet, IL
Mart Ross Brunke, age 77, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jan Brunke; his daughters, Ellen (Ryan) Decker and Erin (Brian) Adams; and his cherished grandchildren, Rylan, Elly, and Myles Decker, and Evelyn and Blake Adams. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Jay (Rachel) Darley, Calvin, Chloe, and Camille Darley, and Amy (Mike) Skibbe, along with Gavin, Dylan, and Autumn Ringhofer.
Mart is further survived by his brothers, Scott (Diane), Gary (Deanne), and Paul (Debbe) Brunke; his sister, Dawn (Steve) Young; and many loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Janice Brunke, and his brother, Allen Brunke.
Mart grew up in Villa Park and graduated from Willowbrook High School. He attended Western Illinois University before proudly serving his country in the United States Navy, where he spent several years stationed at bases around the world and flew in planes looking for Russian submarines.
Following his military service, Mart built a long and successful career as an electrical engineer with Johnson Controls, where he worked for over 30 years before retiring.
Mart's life was centered on his deep Christian faith, his devotion to family, his Compass Church community, and his lifelong love of cars. A skilled builder and racer, he constructed and raced his own cars on the drag strip and even competed on one of his favorite television shows, "Pinks All Out."
Known for his remarkable mechanical and engineering abilities, Mart was the go-to "Mr. Fix-It" for family and friends. Whether helping someone repair a problem or find the perfect car, he was always ready to lend a hand.
When he wasn't at the racetrack or helping others, Mart could often be found on the sidelines of his grandchildren's sporting events, cheering them on with unwavering enthusiasm until the very end.
His personal relationship with God gave him a deep sense of peace and assurance, and he held a steadfast belief in eternal life through Christ Jesus. It was his heartfelt prayer that his family would share in that same peace.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and a service at 11:00 a.m. at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home. Memorials in Mart's name to Tunnels To Towers T2T.org, Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, Lightways.org or Lurie's Children Hospital, luriechildrens,org would be appreciated.