Joyce Emma (Finn) Brune

Joyce Emma Brune, 79, of Orange Grove, passed away peacefully on Thursday June 5, 2025 in Alice, Texas. She was born Joyce Emma Finn on November 28, 1945 in Granger, Texas to R.L. George Finn and Martha Clara Belz. She was a graduate of Hutto High School in 1964 as Head Cheerleader and President of the Hutto High School Chapter of Future Homemakers of America. 

Joyce married her husband, Franklin Brinkmeyer, a U.S. Marine, of Thrall Texas June 23, 1964. Soon after, they had their one and only daughter, Marie Brinkmeyer on August 12, 1965. As a Marine, Franklin’s assignments moved them around and Joyce worked outside the home in a few different places, but she was first and foremost a mother and homemaker. The family put down roots in their country home outside of Orange Grove, where Marie went to school and Joyce had a long career as clerk at the Western Auto Parts Store where she “practically ran the place”, retiring when the store closed its doors.

No stranger to loss, Joyce is preceded in death by her husband of 17 years, Franklin Brinkmeyer who was killed in an auto accident north of Alice in 1981. Joyce later found love and friendship with Robert Brune who worked as an aircraft mechanic at the Corpus Christi Army Depot. They married November 10, 1983. Five short days later, her daughter, Marie Brinkmeyer (a graduate of Orange Grove HS), tragically died in an alcohol-related incident her freshman year in college at Texas A&I in Kingsville where she was studying political science with ambitions to become an attorney. Sadly, in 1994, Robert passed away from cancer. Joyce is also proceeded in death by her parents and her older brother Ken Finn of Round Rock, Texas.

In an effort to raise awareness for acute alcohol poisoning and require warning labels, Joyce led a lawsuit against the alcohol manufacturer in the state district court in 1992. After a month-long trial and national attention, the jury made a “landmark finding” in ruling that the tequila maker was partly responsible for Marie’s death. The lawsuit became a stepping stone in a nationwide movement to make manufacturers more liable for injuries caused by their product. The finding influenced language in the SAFE bill and other similar bills with warnings on all alcohol advertising. As an advocate for RID, Joyce appeared on the Maury Povich Show in November 1992 where she held Marie’s graduation picture and told her story.

A long-time resident of Orange Grove, Joyce is survived by her brother Tex Finn, her nieces Lisa Finn and Lori Shreves, nephew Larry Finn and their children. She was the spunky, tough aunt who enjoyed catching up on the phone and offering practical advice. In pointing her life in a meaningful direction, God led Joyce to Faith Church where, for about 35 years, she has served her community tirelessly as ‘church lady’ and officially took on the role of Church Secretary the last 20 years. Faith Church was everything to her: her family, her friends, and her purpose. She harnessed her boundless energy and hard-working attitude into all aspects of the church mission: women’s guild, general council, leading Sunday school, vacation bible school, you name it! But where she really thrived was in service at the Food Pantry and her ‘baby’ the Thrift Store. In those caring places, Joyce’s spirit of good works, lives on.

Family will be receiving friends on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Holmgreen Mortuary 2061 E. Main ST. Alice, Texas. Visitation on Friday, June 13, 2025 from 9:00 AM to10:00 AM at Faith Church in Orange Grove, Texas. A Funeral Service will be Friday, June 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Faith Church in Orange Grove, Texas, followed by Burial at Sons of Hermann Cemetery at 11:00 AM.

Pallbearers: Grant Boucher, Vann Lathem, Paul Schmidt, Tino Vasquez, Stacy Herschap and Scottie Herschap

Honorary Pallbearers: Tex Finn and Paxton Finn

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 E. Main Street, Alice, Texas.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Facebook.

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