Joshua “Josh” Jacob Brunkhardt

We were both kids when we met each other at Youth Camp Program in Milton, Florida, as a youth counselor, and you were about to graduate from the program in a week. You took me under your wings because I was a new staff and it was my first time moving out of my home town. I still remember you with your bright smile and laughter that week, and we both gave each other hope. We keep in touch until you graduate from high school, and you became my little brother. We finally reconnect back in 2012 on Facebook when I was starting teaching, and I still remember you told me you had never forgotten me because I made a significant mark on your life. Again, Josh, actually, you left a mark on my life, and I will never forget you, and you will always be engraved in my heart. Sleep well, my little brother. Love you always. Please pray for his wife, kids, and his family & friends. Josh Brunkhardt

I love you and I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you when you needed me. I'll always cherish the good times we had when you were little. You'll always be in my heart. Rest in peace my first-born.

Josh was my nephew and I loved him and the girls dearly. I will miss him dearly. I pray that his girls grow up to know what a truly wonderful person he was and how hard he worked to be the best father he could be. My condolences to his wife and other children, who are missing a huge piece of their lives and to Josh's other family, who have lost a beautiful soul. I will miss you bud.

Joshua Jacob came to stay with me in Vermont after going through a rough stint of bad decisions. When he came to my home, my boys LOVED him. He was such a soft spoken guy, and always helped around the house. I spend endless hours talking with Joshua Jacob (that is just what I called him), and got to hear the story of his life, how he saw it. Having made many stupid mistakes in my life, I encouraged him not to give up on life, and not to let his past define his future. Not too long after, he met the mother of his children; who also spent a lot of time at my house. I glowed when Joshua Jacob became a parent, because he not only did it well, but LOVED his babies, all of them! Last time I talked to Joshua Jacob was about a month ago when I again harassed him for the girls' sizes, so I could buy them outfits for when they came to visit this summer. I feel blessed (and thank God every day) that the last words he said to me were, "I love you Auntie". I loved how he called me Auntie (Not ant, ie, but Awntie). It echoes in my head. This has left my family reeling too. He was lost from our lives for most of his life, and we were all Very thankful that we finally got the chance to make him part of OUR family too. I take comfort that he is with his Aunt Leah now, as well as so many others who have gone before him, and I look forward to seeing him in the next life. I will miss him SO much!

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.