Lonnie Brunswick, 80, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024, after a recent decline in health. Lonnie was born August 22, 1943 and raised in Burkettsville, Ohio. He, with his wife of 58 years, Janice, have been residents of Monroe for 50 years and active parishioners of St. Mary Catholic Church.
Lonnie and Janice were high school sweethearts in Ohio where Lonnie was a high school basketball star. He received a basketball scholarship to attend St. Joseph's College, in Rensselaer, Indiana, and following his lifelong passion for basketball and the opportunity to pursue coaching, he continued his education at Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio. After a few teaching and coaching roles brought him to Michigan, Lonnie gained a position as the head basketball coach and Director of Athletics for Monroe County Community College. Lonnie was an active leader in the community with the United Way, Port Commission, and Recreation Advisory Commission. Lonnie retired from MCCC, as the Vice President and Dean of Student Services, after 31 years.
Lonnie never met a stranger and enjoyed conversations, and a good amount of laughter, in the driveway or over the yard fence. He also enjoyed many hobbies. An avid golfer, he often played 36 holes walking the course rather than using a cart. A lover of landscaping and yard maintenance, he took great pride in his yard and helped maintain the plants at St. Mary's Church. Lonnie also took up watercolor art later in life and took classes, participated in numerous competitions (with many blue ribbons) and was a passionate member of the Monroe Art League. Lonnie also had a love for music, which was recognized in family singalongs and through his regular snapping, whistling or playing air percussion. He enjoyed many travels with his wife, Janice, including visiting their daughters in various parts of the country.
There is no doubt he will fondly be remembered. He is survived by his wife, Janice Brunswick, three daughters, Jennifer Resseguie, Emily (Jim) Brunswick-Nelson, and Jill (Philip) Bone, and seven grandchildren, Samuel and Kendall Resseguie, Hailey and Sabrina Nelson, and Phoebe, Charley and Spencer Bone. Lonnie is also survived by a sister, Dianne (Brunswick) Dippold, her husband, John; sister-in-law, Mary Brunswick; and brother-in-law, James Dippold. He joins in Heaven his parents, Raymond and Agnes Brunswick, and four siblings, Mary Kay Brunswick, Lois Jean (Brunswick) Pohlmann, Betty (Brunswick) Homan, and Larry Brunswick.
Please join his family in celebrating his life at Bacarella Funeral Home, Friday, March 8th from 4 to 7 pm. Lonnie will lie in state Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church where Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. by Rev. Fr. Michael Anagbogu.
For anyone wanting to make a donation in memory of Lonnie, the family suggests supporting Monroe County Community College or St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com