Elmer E. Brodien

Elmer Brodien, 87, of Bourbonnais died June 11, 2015 at Miller Healthcare Center in Kankakee, IL. He was born February 9, 1928 to Edward and Elaine (Swanson) Brodien in Chicago, Illinois. The Brodien’s moved to the campus of Olivet College when Elmer’s Dad, Edward, became chief engineer and superintendent of buildings and grounds. At the time, Elmer was 14. The Brodien Power Plant and more recently, the Brodien Conference Room in the Tripp Maintenance Building, are named in honor of his father, Ed Brodien. Elmer attended Maternity Grade School, Olivet Academy and Olivet College. He started his own business, Elmer’s Delivery Service, eventually hiring others while he pursued other opportunities. He was Branch Manager of the Chicago Daily News for 12 years. He was National Sales Manager for Remington Arms Company before becoming Contract Sales Manager for Sears. He left Sears to start his own business, Brodien and Associates. He enjoyed traveling in his motor home and spending time with his children and grandchildren at his lake cottage at Indian Lake in Vicksburg, Michigan. He also loved touring on his motorcycle. In earlier years, he was an avid swimmer and had a scuba diving license. In later years, he loved to sit on the porch at his home watching the birds. He was a member of College Church of the Nazarene for over 70 years, and dearly loved the hymns of the church. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Doris Brodien (Rowe), Bourbonnais; three children, Steve of Nashville, Tennessee, Laurie (Dale) Oswalt, of Colorado, and Jan (Steve) Harris of Nashville, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Blake Brodien, Ryan (Angie) Harris, Brooke Morel, David (Maddie) Harris all of Nashville, Tennessee and Brian (Brittany) Oswalt of Colorado; three great grandchildren, Ava and Lexi Morel and Jackson Oswalt. He is survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ruth and Ralph Hodges, of Ohio, two sisters-in-law Joyce Brodien of Michigan, and Brenda Brodien of Indiana, and many nieces and nephews. Preceeding him in death are his parents, Ed and Elaine Brodien and his two brothers, Ray and Roger Brodien. Memorials may be made to the Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Tuesday at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, 295 Main St. NW, Bourbonnais, Illinois. Funeral services will be at 11 AM on Wednesday at College Church of Nazarene, Bourbonnais, Illinois. Dr. Mark Quanstrom and Dr. John Bowling will officiate. Burial will be held at Kankakee Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Kankakee, Illinois. Please sign our guestbook at www.clancygernon.com

Elmer E. Brodien

February 9, 1928 - June 11, 2015