James "Jim" W. Bruner was born on July 30, 1930 in Decatur County, Iowa, the son of Reatus William and Bessie Merle (Manchester) Bruner. Jim entered into eternal peace on Sunday, February 10, 2013 at the VA Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jim's early years were spent in the communities of southern and southwestern Iowa. He attended various schools in south and southwest Iowa through the eighth grade. Moving to Essex, Iowa in January of 1951 he worked for Mount Arbor Nurseries, as a chauffeur and for several local farmers. On July 17, 1952 he was inducted into the United States Army. Jim served his country with pride during the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge on June 16, 1954. After serving in the Army, Jim attended Radio Electronics Institute.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Reatus and Bessie Bruner, brothers Otis "Bill" Bruner, Kenneth Roy Bruner; sisters Arvilla Preston, Betty Bruner and Barbara Bateman. Those left to cherish his memory include three brothers Charles Bruner and wife Joyce of Arvada, Colorado, Elmer Bruner and wife Beverly of Sun City, Arizona, Donald Bruner and wife Patti of Council Bluffs, Iowa, sister-in-law Pearl Bruner of Leon, Iowa and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.