Sandy Ernestine Brunning, age 78, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011. Relocating from Indiana, she had been a resident of Okeechobee since 1984.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she was active in the Womens Club, the Ladies of the Moose, and the VFW Auxiliary. Along with her son Dennis, she was co-owner of Bees Elite Catering and Restaurant.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gus Brunning; son, R. Michael Brunning; parents, Ernest and Elizabeth Shields; and sister, Ann Keller.
Survivors include her son, Dennis J. Brunning of Okeechobee; daughter, Elizabeth Hughs of Indianapolis, Ind.; grandchildren, Denny (Sarah) Brunning, Shawn Bryant, Eric (Vicky) Bryant, Todd (Tiffany) Bryant, Tarra (Shawn) Higgs, all of Indianapolis; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Arnet (Sue) Shields of Kokomo, Ind.; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 18, from 5 until 8 p.m. at Buxton-Seawinds Chapel at Abundant Blessings Church, 4550 Highway 441 North. Interment will take place on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Indianapolis, Ind.