Carolyn Braun, age 77, of Joplin, Mo. passed away peacefully at 4:57 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at her home surrounded by her family. Carolyn was born November 16, 1934 in Stella, Mo., the daughter of Roy O. and Ruby Bowman. Carolyn graduated as Salutatorian from Stella High School in 1956 where she was active in basketball, volleyball, and playing the French horn. She later attended Dayton Community College. Following her graduation, her family moved to Joplin and she worked at the First National Bank. In 1958 Carolyn moved to Wichita, Kansas to be near her sisters. While in Wichita she worked as office manager for Allis-Chalmers until 1961. She then moved to Dayton, Ohio with her husband where she was office manager for New Britain Machine until 1963. She became a Homemaker until 1984 when she became the Operations Manager and Corporate Secretary for System and Electronics Inc. in Elk Grove Village, Illinois until her retirement in 2005 when she returned to Joplin. Carolyn was a member of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Carolyn married Joseph F. Braun August 26, 1961 in Wichita, Kansas and he survives. Additional survivors include a son, Bradley J. Braun, and wife Dr. Robynne Braun, Chicago, Illinois, two sisters, Irene Balay and Anita Riggs, both of Joplin, four sister in laws, Kathryn Bowman, Joplin, Ann Bowman, Neosho, Mo., Barbra Dunz, Worth , Il. and Rose Ann Wiwell and husband Don, Bridgeville, Pa., a brother in law, Larry Braun and wife Marjorie, St. Paul, Mn. and many nieces and nephews. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Kathryn Wieser, Maxine Templar, and Elizabeth Ralston, and two brothers, Curtis and Winford Bowman.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Mason-Woodard Chapel with Pastor Mark Statler officiating. Burial will follow at the Macedonia Cemetery in Stella, Mo. with her nephews serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the Chapel. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are requested to the ALS Assoc., Keith Worthington Chapter, 2025 E. Chestnut Expressway, Suite K, Springfield, Mo. 65802 www.alsa-midwest.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.