NICHOLAS P. BRUCKNER

Feb. 13, 1948 - Oct. 4, 2012
NILES - Nicholas Peter "Nick" Bruckner, age 64 years, of Niles, Michigan, died on Thursday afternoon, October 4, 2012, while swimming in the Pacific Ocean near Boca Tomatlan, Jalisco, Mexico. He was born on February 13, 1948, in Wolfratshausen, Bavaria, Germany, to Edward and Edith (Kardoss) Bruckner.

He lived most of his life in South Bend, Indiana, and Niles, and was graduated from South Bend Clay High School. He was a veteran of the Vietnam Era, serving in the 7th Special Forces - the "Green Bérets" - of the United States Army. He recently retired as the owner/operator of the Discount Muffler and Tire company, now known as DMT in South Bend. Nick was a member of the Real Life Church in Niles. He had a special passion for the mission field in Haïti, making many trips there, and sending support both financially and by the containerload. He enjoyed golfing and fishing, but his greatest joy was his family, and especially his grandchildren.

On November 25, 1972, at the Mapleview Free Methodist Church in Niles, he married the former Darlene Potts, with whom he would have celebrated the fortieth anniversary of their wedding next month. He is survived by his wife, Darlene Bruckner; and by their sons, Geza (& Kelly) Bruckner, A'kos (& Sherry) Bruckner and Bela (& Stephanie) Bruckner, all of Niles; grandchildren, Balazs, Katie, Dawson, Chase, Kyle, Evan, Jillian, Ben and Mason; and Nick's sister and brother, Edith (& Bill) Murray of Edwardsburg, Michigan, and Dr. Geza (& Beverly) Bruckner of Versailles, Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Edith "Vicki" Bruckner, and by his brother-in-law, Dale Ferguson.

The funeral service for Nick Bruckner will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2012, at the First Missionary Church in Niles, with Pastor Jared Eckerly of the Real Life Church officiating, assisted by the Rev. Ecclesias Donatien of the Tabernacle of Praise in Cap-Haïtien, Haïti, and Mr. Tom Harmon, a friend of Nick. The service will conclude in the churchyard with full military honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan. The family will receive relatives and friends from 2:00 until 4:00 and 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the First Missionary Church. Contributions in memory of Nick may be made to the Tabernacle of Praise in Haïti, c/o the First Missionary Church. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Oct. 9, 2012.

09/17/2022 EJS