Vernon J. "Jake" Braun

January 6, 1953 - June 3, 2020

Vernon J. “Jake” Braun, 67, of rural Wapakoneta, died 9:30 a.m., Wed. June 3, 2020, at Mercy Health- St. Rita’s medical Center, Lima. He was born Jan. 6, 1953, in Lima, the son of Harry Braun & Lucille (Schaub) Braun Hoying. His mother survives and his father & step-father are deceased. On Sept. 14, 1974, he married Patricia E. (Heller) Braun and she survives. Other survivors include, 2 daughters, Kara (Ryan) Schneider, Wapakoneta, and Courtney (Trevor) Randolph, Woodbridge, VA; 2 granddaughters, Makenzie and Kelsey Schneider, Wapakoneta; 11 siblings, Deb East, California; Becky (Rich) Nuesmeyer, Cridersville; Cindy Hengstler, Wapakoneta; Garry Braun, Wapakoneta; Barry (Pam) Braun, Wapakoneta; Judy (Randy) Heinl, Wapakoneta; Janine “Pete” Steinke, Cridersville; Brenda (Jerry) Randall, Wapakoneta; Monica Place, Wapakoneta; Amy (Ed) McCune, Wapakoneta; Jeff (Ali) Braun, Wapakoneta; 6 stepbrothers & sisters; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Bob (Patty) Heller, Hamilton, OH; Joan (Fred) McAdoo, Dayton, OH; David (Jodie) Heller, Napoleon, OH; John Heller, Columbus, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jake was preceded in death by his father, Harry Braun, his step-father, Tom Hoying, his mother-in-law & father-in-law, Ruth and Ferd Heller, 2 sisters-in-law, Lisa Braun and Rebecca Early, a niece, Jen Heller Templeton, and a nephew, Dillon Place. Jake retired from G.A. Wintzer and Son where he drove truck for 35 years. He also owned a spouting business for 15 years. A 1971 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Jake was a member of the Wapakoneta VFW. Jake, an avid hunter his entire life, enjoyed spending his time with his group of special hunting buddies who were like brothers. He also enjoyed fishing with friends and family, especially with his 2 granddaughters, “Papa’s Girls”. Jake loved sports, especially attending Columbus Blue Jackets games with his wife, and watching the Cleveland Browns, Ohio State Buckeyes, along with the Reds and Indians on TV. Jake didn’t know a stranger, was a jokester, and could always bring about laughter with his antics and one liners. Jake was a proud husband, Dad, and Papa, who always put his family first. He attended many of his daughters’ and granddaughters’ activities and led by example showing a strong work ethic. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. “Grief is just love with no place to go.” With consideration to current health directives, social distancing, and preferred masks, a funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tues., June 9, 2020, at the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta, with Pastor Steven Nelson officiating. Burial is to follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta. The family will receive family & friends 2-8 p.m., Monday and 1 hour prior to the service Tues. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com. The funeral service will be live streamed on the Eley Funeral Home Facebook page.