Bruckner, Henry James

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: L2RW-JBB
• _UID: 4F0C4D2534064973B9D4933CB19267460F12

Notes:

Henry James Brucker, Jr. was born in Hammond, Indiana. He was primarily raised in Hammond, along with his younger brother Dennis, with the exception of a very brief period when the family lived in Three Lakes. He was an honors 1962 graduate of Hammond High School and attended Purdue University (Calumet campus) for two years. In 1964 he transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington.

Henry married Nancy Lee Feasel on March 26th, 1966. They adopted two children - Ryan Todd (in 1971) and Kristen Kathleen (in 1975). The couple lived in Indiana from 1966 to 1978, when they relocated to Portage County, Wisconsin. Henry received his B.S. in biology from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, and was a member of the Senior Honor Society.

He primarily worked in the rail industry during his life as a diesel electrician, working for the Indiana Harbor Belt RR in Indiana and the Soo Line RR in Wisconsin. He held an electrician's card and a realtor's license. He also had two years of training in electrical engineering and completed certification in HVAC. He was president of the IBEW local associated with the Indiana Harbor Belt RR at Gibson, Indiana, in 1975.

Henry moved to Three Lakes in the summer of 1986, followed by Nancy and the children. The couple divorced in 1988. Henry worked at the Black Forest prior to his death in 1989. He enjoyed fishing and hunting immensely. He had loved the lakes and forests of the north country since childhood. "Hank" is at peace alongside his parents, grandparents and his beloved uncle & aunt, Bill and Johanna Brucker in Three Lakes Cemetery.
From Find A Grave

Henry married Feasel, Nancy Lee on 26 Mar 1966. Nancy was born in Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: LYHS-QBH
• _UID: 318AC8677F9A4302A2097AC050B4DC9EAB30

Notes:

Henry James Brucker, Sr. was born and raised in the town of Three Lakes. He was the son of William F. Brucker and Mary Harvart Brucker, brother of "Billy" Brucker and Gertrude Brucker, brother-in-law of Johanna Brucker, husband of Nellie Sweet Brucker and father of Henry James Brucker, Jr. - all of whom are buried in adjoining graves at Three Lakes Cemetery. His son Dennis and wife (Kathy) live in South Carolina.

Henry Sr. graduated from Three Lakes High School and played basketball for the Blue Jays. He relocated to the Calumet Region in NW Indiana in search of work during WWII. While employed in the steel industry as a supervisor, he met and Nellie Mae Sweet, a co-worker. They were married in 1943, and were parents to two sons, Henry Jr. and Dennis Dale. Henry Jr. married Nancy Lee Feasel in 1966. Dennis married Kathleen Jean Beard in 1967. Both couples adopted children. Henry Jr.'s children are Ryan Todd (1971) and Kristen Kathleen (1975). Dennis' children are Scott Christian (1971) and Robin Christine (1975).

Henry Sr. eventually became employed by the Indiana Harbor Belt RR, where he worked many years as a switchman. He returned to Three Lakes briefly with his wife & sons before changing employers, but was unable to support them in the north country as was possible in NW Indiana. However, the family returned to Three Lakes regularly for vacations, staying in the farmhouse with his brother Bill and sister-in-law Johanna, or staying in one of the family cottages located alongside Spirit Lake. He had many friendships from his youth in Three Lakes.

Upon retirement, Henry Sr. and Nellie moved back to Three Lakes, purchasing a home on Bonack Loop. Henry Sr. passed away as the result of a heart attack in 1999, followed by Nellie's death from alzheimers in 2000.
From Find A Grave

Henry married Sweet, Nellie Mae in 1943. Nellie was born in 1919; died in 2000. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: GQHZ-BVD
• _UID: 3104F53A6020469C8ED93709824EBE565156

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: GCR6-KQJ
• _UID: 27AACD7C5EE8490889B0A5E5EB91695BB465

Notes:

William F. Brucker was born to Michael Brucker and Elizabeth Deitrick Brucker in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1865. Elizabeth passed away at the time of his birth or soon thereafter. Michael relocated to Milwaukee, and then Chicago, Illinois. He married Gertrude Hesser and fathered additional children, and Gertrude raised William along with her own biological children. Michael was a prosperous businessman and was the owner of the M. Brucker Foundry in Chicago at the turn of the 20th century. The foundry manufactured Crown gas ranges. Oral history in the family recounts that Michael purchased 40 acres on Spririt Lake in Three Lakes for William. Originally, William lived in a small structure/cabin on the property. The cabin was on high ground in the meadow area and it no longer stands. Later, the spacious farmhouse was constructed down the hill, along with a large barn behind the house.

William's younger son, Henry Brucker (Sr.), recalled his father selling alcohol to Al Capone and the Capone gang at the farmhouse during prohibition.

The family photo at left shows William F. Brucker with his father (Michael) and step-mother (Gertrude). The photo was taken in Chicago, Illinois, where the family lived at that time.
From Find a Grave

William married Harvart, Mary in 1905 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA. Mary was born on 28 Dec 1879 in Germany; died on 8 May 1958 in Three Lakes, Oneida, Wisconsin, USA; was buried in Three Lakes, Oneida, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: GCRX-L3B
• _UID: BEC188E00C51419288DA4CB0B224A95F5309
• Naturalization: 1906, United States of America

Notes:

Wife of William Faultine Brucker and mother of William Brucker, Henry Brucker (Sr.) and Gertrude Brucker. Grandmother of Henry Brucker (Jr.) and Dennis D. Brucker. Mary and William raised their boys in the farmhouse located on 40 acres bordering Spirit Lake. Their daughter, Gertrude, succumbed to influenza in childhood. Mary passed away from complications following a fall in her son Henry's home in Hammond, Indiana. She was transported to Three Lakes for burial. Burial alongside her late husband, William F. Brucker, was on May 12th, 1958.
From Find A Grave

Birth:
or Austria

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: 99NC-384
• _UID: F38BA747F31645A5B7A00C07D8E0F0D94A23

Notes:

Buried:
Saint Boniface Cemetery

Michael married Deitrick, Elizabeth on 17 May 1864 in Butler county, Ohio, USA. Elizabeth was born in Unknown; died in 1865. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: 99NC-38Y
• _UID: 08564C905FAE461480F411D16E1F805054EC