Joseph Brennan

BRENNAN - Longtime Kentwood resident Joseph R. "Joe" Brennan passed into transition on February 26, 2013. He was 89. Joe was born in Salida, Colorado, on December 21, 1923, to Joseph H. and Fay Brennan. He married Patricia J. Doherty of Petoskey, Michigan, on October 6, 1945. Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. He flew 50 missions as a flight engineer on B-17 bombers over Africa and Italy, receiving the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Joe worked as a driver at Coles Laundry in Grand Rapids for 20 years, hardware manager at Erb Lumber in Wyoming for 15 years, and as the handyman at Ludema's Floral in Grand Rapids for more than a dozen years. For the past year, Joe lived in Sentinel Point Retirement Home in Cascade. Joe is survived by his wife, Patricia; a daughter, Sheila McCormick; and a son, Mike Brennan; 5 grandsons, Scott Kyburz, Jeff (Robin) Kyburz, Casey (Karen) Kyburz, Joe Kyburz, and Colin Butler; 1 granddaughter, Lillian Brennan; and six great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, March 3, 2013 at the Ronan-Vanderpool-Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 3131 S. Division Ave. A viewing will be held 1:00 until the time of the service. The family wishes to thank the staff at Sentinel Pointe and Hospice of Michigan for its kindness and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Michigan. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Joseph "Joe" Brennan please visit our Sympathy Store.