Edwin Rae Bruner

Edwin Bruner, a beloved brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away surrounded by family last Friday November 28th, 2025, at St John’s hospital in Tulsa. His life was marked by quiet strength, steady kindness, and the deep love he held for those closest to him. Edwin touched the lives of many through his gentle spirit and unwavering loyalty, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

We will think and reminisce about you often and you will be remembered and known by generations of our family, yet to be known.

Born and raised in Claremore, Oklahoma, Edwin grew up grounded in family, community, and his rich Cherokee/Creek cultural heritage. He carried those values throughout his life — showing humility, generosity, and a sense of humor that could ease even the hardest of days. He kept his gentle and humoring nature through his final years when he was always in chronic back pain and had to use a wheelchair to be mobile.

He found joy in simple moments: visiting and having a great wit about life in general when with family, catching up with cousins, and sharing meals, stories, and laughter. Edwin’s presence brought comfort, and his absence will be deeply felt as he was the ‘glue’ that held the family together after our parents passed.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, family connection, and respect for tribal traditions. His life was a testament to resilience and to the bonds that hold families together across generations. The house that he lived in seems hollow and bare, in the short time that he has been gone.

Edwin is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Betty ‘Keener’ Bruner of Claremore; his grandparents, Walter and Lizzie Keener of Tahlequah and Lizzie Leader and Richard “Dick” Bruner Sr. of Holdenville; and his aunts and uncles: Randolph and Frances Bruner of Tulsa, Jane Cazabat of Okmulgee, Arthur Keener, Rudolph Bruner, and Nellie Buffalomeat, all ofTahlequah.

He is also preceded in death by his cousins Randy Bruner of Tulsa and Scott Bruner of Tahlequah.

Those family members that survive include his cat, Leo, his nieces, Katie Bruner of Broken Arrow and Nicole Bruner of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and his nephew and niece, Zach and Paige Kober of Broken Arrow. He is also survived by his sister, Kris Kober, and her husband, Rick, of Claremore, and by his brothers, Dean Bruner of Broken Arrow and Eric Bruner, and his wife, Cherry, of Claremore. Edwin is further survived by many cousins including: Terry Lee Kibby and Angie of the Horntown, Oklahoma, area, Ray Buffalomeat of Lawrence, Kansas, Jon Bruner of Tulsa, Mercyne Buffalomeat and Jay Buffalomeat of Claremore, Rhonda Bruner of Tulsa, Terry Bruner and Dennis Bruner and their mother Junita of Tahlequah, Stephen Cazabat of Santa Barbara, California.

These extended family members, along with numerous friends and loved ones, form the strong bond and relations that surrounded Edwin throughout his life.

Edwin’s life will be remembered for the kindness he shared, the loyalty he showed, and the quiet but powerful love he had for his family. His memory will continue to shine through the people whose lives he touched so deeply.

Visitation will be on Thursday December 4th, 2025, between 2-7pm, family will be from 5-7pm at the Musgrove Merritt Smith funeral home (102 W. 5th St., Claremore, Oklahoma).

Service will be Friday at Emmanuel Baptist Church (828 Muskogee Ave., Claremore, Oklahoma). The church is a historic Native American church, and all are welcome to attend of any ethnic background.

Burial will be at New Hope Baptist (where he was Baptized) cemetery, located between Hulbert and Lost City, Oklahoma where many generations of his relatives are, and will be there to greet him.