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William R. Brege
William R. Brege
The Rev. William R. Brege, 68, of Fort Wayne, Ind., passed away Sunday evening, June 24, 2018, at his home.
Bill was born in Portage, Wis., on Oct. 21, 1949, to the late Robert E. and Edna M. (Moeller) Brege. He married Ruth Anne Kasewurm in Stevensville, on Apr. 6, 1969; she preceded him in death on Oct. 10, 2017.
Bill graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1967 and later received his associate's degree. He was a journeyman carpenter for several years, along with owning and operating Brege Construction Co. He also served many years as the president of the Southwestern Michigan Homebuilders Association.
In 1981, Bill enrolled in the Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Ind. After graduating in 1985, he served as the director of admissions at the seminary for three years until he was called to serve as the pastor for Bethlehem Lutheran Church in rural Ossian, Ind., where he served for 27 years until his retirement.
Bill was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the Confessional Lutheran Education Foundation (C.L.E.F.), Lutheran Heritage Foundation, and was very active with the Russian, Siberian and Ghana mission projects. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking, golfing and cooking.
Survivors include three sons: Todd (Carla) Brege of Bluffton, Ind., Timothy (Katie) Brege and David (Natalie) Brege, both of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; a daughter, Dawn (Joel) Yoquelet of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; and 10 grandchildren: Garrison, Isaiah, Fielder, Madison, Preston, William, Henry, Hallie, Wellesley and Marlee. He is also survived by three sisters: Rosemary (Norman) Schmooke of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kathleen (Mark) Buckert of Atlanta, and Elaine (Fred) Kenny of Muskegon; and three brothers: Daniel (Lynn) Brege of Decatur, Ind., James (Sherry) Brege of Atlanta, and Thomas (Barbara) Brege of Raleigh, N.C.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday, June 29, 2018, at Goodwin – Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel, 3220 East State Road 124, Bluffton, Ind. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 6514 East 750 North, Ossian, Ind., with one hour of visitation prior to the service at the church, the Revs. Dr. Timothy Quill and Randall Wurschmidt will officiate. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the C.L.E.F., Concordia Theological Seminary for Siberian Lutheran Missions, or Worship Anew – Lutheran Ministries Media. Online condolences may be made at www.goodwincaleharnish.com.
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Ray Damaske
Our condolences to the Brege family.
I believe I remember seeing Bill at the reunion and my memory is reassured by seeing him in the class picture.(I believe)
Like so many other old friends and classmates, I regret not having more "up close and personal" conversation with so many individuals that we knew that were there in attendance. Like that old proverbial "brass ring on the carousel", the opportunity only comes around once or maybe twice in a lifetime to do or say what needs to be shared or said. I didn't have the opportunity to share discussion and any memories with Bill at our reunion.. I regret that.
I think that makes sense.... The opportunities we all had who attended the grand old "50th Reunion" has passed, and a few of our beloved classmates have followed- only to remain in our memories. God gave us each opportunities and we should be so thankful for them. Last year was a milestone in so many of our lives; and maybe we'll never see the next. Thanks to all who attended last year... many didn't have that opportunity. We all have the happy and and sometime bittersweet memories that came with being there at the reunion, and no one can take those memories from us.
In reference to our dearly departed classmate, Bill, he's in a much greater place than this temporary "real estate" called earth. It is so comforting to know how he invested in his life serving others through God in his faithful ministry. One wonders how many lives he touched and how many souls were saved through his ministry and service to his Lord. I choose to believe it would be very comforting to know by his family and loved ones.... those that truly knew and loved him.
I don't know how much German there is in the Brege family, but to you, Bill, I say "auf Wiedersehen" which translates itself to "until we meet again"... May God be with your family at this time of their loss and sorrow.
Blessings to each of you,
Just another old classmate of '67,
ray damaske
Thomas Van Scyoc
Absolutely a great guy, enjoyed going to school with Bill, a genuine straight shooter!
Jennifer Gibbs (Rose)
I am so glad Bill came to the reunion last summer.. Per photo on page 6, 1967 Mazenblue: #15 Track Star, may you rest in peace and may your family find love and strength through your spirit.
Jennifer Gibbs Rose