Ronald Brundage

Ronald Merle Brundage, 78, of Hastings, NE, died October 4, 2026, at Stone Hearth Estates in Gothenburg, NE. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Inurnment will be at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Cairo following the service. Visitation will be 5-7 on Friday at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

Ron was born August 23, 1948, in Cairo, Nebraska, to Merle and Mary (Scott) Brundage. He grew up near Cairo and graduated from Cairo High School.

On July 20, 1968, Ron married Sheryl Ann O’Neill at Cairo United Methodist Church. The couple made their home in Grand Island, where Ron worked at Grand Island Furnace & Supply. In the early 1970s, the family moved to rural Cairo, where Ron farmed the family ground through the late 1980s.

Alongside farming, Ron built a lifelong career in the sign business, working over the years for Art Kraft, Mayhew, Neon Signs & Designs, Eagle Sign, and Tri-City Sign. Early in his career, he learned the craft of bending glass for neon signs, an art he continued to practice well into retirement. His work could be seen on signs throughout Nebraska and all 50 states and he took great pride in a craft that combined skill, creativity, and a steady hand.

Ron was a member of the Methodist Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, gardening, traveling, tinkering on projects, and spending time with family.

Ron is survived by his sons, Devin (Jami) Brundage of Gothenburg and Todd (Carlia) Brundage of Juniata; grandchildren, Braeden (Kaylee) Brundage of Gothenburg, Justise Rhoden of Peru, and Kelsey (Lauren) Beath of Auburn; and great-grandsons, Benson and Oliver Brundage.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sheryl, in 2024; and his sister, Sandra (Lloyd) Kyhn and daughter in law Tami Brundage.