Loren F Brunton

Loren F. Brunton, 77, of East Moline, IL died Sunday, April 17, 2016 at Rosewood

Care Center, Moline. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21,2016 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Esterdahl Mortuary in Moline, IL. Funeral services will be at Christ United Methodist Church, East Moline, IL on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline, IL.

He was born May 15, 1938 in Wenatchee, WA. The son of Frank and Grace Brunton.

In his first marriage he had three children; Michael, Scott, and Julie. On July 9, 1976

he married Janet (Jan) Stoner whom had two children; Todd and Teresa.

Loren graduated from East Wenatchee High School in 1956 and attended the

University of Washington where he graduated in 1961 with a degree in Mechanical

Engineering. Immediately after graduation, he went to work for the Boeing Airplane Co. in

Seattle, WA. After two years at Boeing, he was recruited by the US Army Rock Island

Arsenal. Loren worked on the Arsenal for 42 years. In 1967 he was assigned as the project

engineer for the M16 series rifles and was sent to the Colt Firearms Plant in Hartford, CT. He

was the on-site engineer and government approval authority for the M16 series rifles

technical data package which was being prepared by Colt's. During the Vietnam War, Loren

was responsible for the design control and improvement of the M16 series rifle which

resulted in the early design problems being resolved and eliminated. He designed the Brunton

Bump for which he obtained two patents.

Loren was active in the Boy Scouts of America when his boys were young. He was

also active in church programs such as Rotary and Wesleyans. He greatly enjoyed going to

watch his grandchildren's activities, including Metamora Redbird football and musical

concerts. He also enjoyed going to the Rock Island Fitness Center, tutoring at local schools,

and traveling.

Loren is survived by his wife Jan, and sister Lorraine of Wenatchee WA; his children

Michael (Mary Lou) of Raritan, NJ, Scott (Maxine) of Metamora, IL, Julie (Reggie) Howard

of Springville, UT, Todd (Karen) Stoner of East Moline, IL and Teresa Dean of East Moline,

IL; grandchildren Barbara Lynn, Mark, Stephen, Matthew, Jonathan, Shawn, Ashton,

Alexandria, Amber, Yvonne, and Brooke; great grandchild Justin.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and infant daughter Carolyn Ruth.

Memorials may be made to Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline, IL.