James Richard "Dick" Bruening, 86, of Neshannock Township, passed away the afternoon of February 1, 2015 in Jameson Care Center. Born July 2, 1928 in Bedford, PA, he was a son of Edmund A. and Margaret Humphrey Bruening. He was preceded in death on January 31, 1990 by his first wife of 41 years, Mary Ellen Bartley Bruening, whom he married November 20, 1948. He is survived by his second wife, Karen Hallas Bruening, whom he married June 1, 1996. James was a 1946 graduate of Connellsville High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict with his first tour from 1946-1948 with the Signal Maintenance Company. He served a second tour from 1950 - 1952 achieving the rank of Sergeant with the 71st Signal Service. He received the medals of honor from his Army service, the WWII Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal WWII Japan. James retired in 1985 after being a 37 year employee of Bell Telephone where he was the assistant manager to the technical assistance group. He was a member of Bell Telephone Pioneers, and participated in the Lawrence County trout stocking. In addition to his wife Karen, he is survived by three daughters, Gretchen (Richard) Johns of Murrells Inlet, SC, Jayne (Al) Guilford of Browntown, VA, and Rachel (Murray) Wilton of Huntsville, AL; seven sons, Rick (Anne) Bruening of New Wilmington, Mike (Mary Kay) Bruening of New Castle, Scott Bruening of Largo, FL, Tim Bruening of Bonita Beach, FL, Rob (Janet) Bruening of Raleigh, NC, Chris (Lexi) Bruening of Ellwood City, and John (Christy) Hallas of Camp Hill, PA; one brother, Donald Bruening of Connellsville, PA; 28 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and his first wife, he was preceded in death by one sister, Thelma Bitner; and three brothers, Edward, Robert and Jack Bruening. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle. A Memorial Service will take place immediately following visitation Saturday at 3:00 at the funeral home with Pastor Hope Cummins and Pastor Randy Crum officiating. Military rites will be performed by the New Castle Area Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Richard "Dick" Bruening, mentor for the youth stocking program, and mailed to the PA Fish Commission, 1601 Elmerton Avenue, PO Box 6700, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. The obituary may be viewed and online condolences offered at www.cunninghamfh.com