Jack D. Brainard

Jack D. Brainard, 85, of Bristol, Indiana died Thursday, October 24, 2013 in Elkhart General Hospital. He was born in April 26, 1928 in Goshen, Indiana to Isabelle and Claude Brainard. He married Dortha Stucky on December 27, 1949 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She survives along with their son James (Elizabeth) Brainard, of Carmel, Indiana and daughter Carol (Robert) Jones of Germantown, Maryland, six grandchildren and a brother, William Brainard, of Goshen, Indiana.

Mr. Brainard was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He graduated from Goshen High School in 1946, Butler University, Jordan College of Music, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1950 and received a Master of Arts from Western Michigan University in 1962.

He taught music at Cloverdale High School from 1950 to 1952. He then served in the 10th Division Army Band and taught at the army band school in Fort Riley, Kansas and was honorably discharged in 1954. He returned to Indiana and began a 36 year teaching career in the Bristol and Elkhart Community Schools.

He directed the Bristol High School Band and Choir from 1954 until Bristol Schools consolidated with Elkhart in 1966. He then became the band director at Brookdale Middle School and later North Side Middle School and retired in 1990.

He was the volunteer director of the Bristol United Methodist Church adult choir for 16 years. Mr. Brainard was the first President of the Town of Bristol Parks Board and served for seven years. He also taught at the Smith-Walbridge Band Camp in Syracuse, Indiana in the summers for 30 years. He was honored to be named the Grand Marshall of the Bristol Homecoming Parade in 2001.

He played French horn with the Elkhart Municipal Band and during his retirement assisted with the New Horizons Senior Band. He was a past member of the Music and Worship Committee of Trinity United Methodist Church and directed the church's "Untalent Band."

Mr. Brainard was a member of the Indiana State Teachers Association, the Elkhart County Teachers Association and was elected to be a member of the American School Band Directors Association in 1973.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 27 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home in Elkhart. Funeral services will be held at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Elkhart at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 28 and burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery in Bristol.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Building Fund or the Bristol Food Pantry. Online condolences may be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.