Francis Brunelle, age 86, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Sanford Hospital, Bismarck, ND.

Francis Lloyd "Sonny" Brunelle was born on February 5, 1933 in Belcourt, ND to Robert and Louise (Peltier) Brunelle. He attended boarding school in Wahpeton, ND. He also attended high school at TMCHS as well as Stephan Boarding School in South Dakota. He completed his GED in 1970. At the age of 19, he volunteered for the United States Army. He completed his basic training in Atlanta, Georgia. He was deployed for two years to France with the 20th Engineer Brigade during the Korean War Era.

Upon his return, he was united in marriage to Addie Jerome on October 23, 1954 at St. Ann's Catholic Church. They were married for 65 years. He was the proud father of five children, Karey, Sandy, Stewart, Michelle, and Deneen. They also raised their grandchild, Danielle.

Sonny and Addie moved to California and lived there from 1959 to 1970. While in California, Sonny was a truck driver for Westco Company. In the summer of 1970, they packed up the family and returned to Belcourt, ND. Sonny worked for Belcourt Schools as a bus driver until they early 70's. In 1974, he helped start Belcourt Oil Company. He managed Belcourt Oil Company until he retired in 2008.

Sonny was a member for the Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degree and American Legion. He was also a member of the Minority Contractors Association (MCA). He served as vice president of MCA in 1985, 1996, and 1997. He was awarded Business Man of the Year in 1986. His company, Belcourt Oil Company, also received the prestigious honor of being named the Business of the Millennium.

Sonny was very much an outdoorsman and sports fan. He and Addie traveled for many years, 500 miles north to Cranberry Portage to fish. He also enjoyed anything to do with horses, whether it was horseback riding to racing horses, he enjoyed it all. He also loved to hunt, snowmobile, playing horse shoes, riding pontoon, and camping. They traveled to every state in the United States and almost all of the Canadian Provinces, Europe, and Mexico.

Sonny was a devout Catholic and a life-long member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Belcourt, ND. One of his greatest travels was when they attended Midnight Mass to see Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Church in Vatican City.

Sonny is survived by his wife, Addie Brunelle of Belcourt; five children, Karey Brunelle of Belcourt, Sandy Brunelle of Belcourt, Stewart Brunelle of Belcourt, Michelle (Troy) Parisien of Belcourt, and Deneen (Daryl) Monette of Ellendale, and Danielle (Bob) Poitra of Belcourt; 18 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and sister, Anita Brunelle of Belcourt.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Louise (Peltier) Brunelle, sisters, Mary Cecelia Morin, Marion "Bunny" Brunelle, Lucille "Pee Wee" DeLong, Gladys Morin, Theresa Brunelle, and Donna Morin, and brothers, Sylvester "Chet", Vincent, and Fred Brunelle.

Casket Bearers are Brandon Brunelle, Coty Brunelle, Spencer Monette, Seth Monette, Jacob Brunelle, and Liam Poitra. Honorary Bearers are all family and friends. Eucharistic Gifts by Anita Brunelle and Claudia Morin. Readers are Daryl Monette and Ayden Bailey. Rosary led by Loretta Falcon, Diane Mathiason, and Anita Brunelle. Music by BI and Mariah Marcellais. Pall placed by Addie Brunelle, Karey Brunelle, Sandy Brunelle, Michelle Parisien, Deneed Monette, and Danielle Poitra. Eulogy by Owen Jerome. Military Honors by the Lilley-Dionne American Legion Post #262 of Belcourt and Military Funeral Honor Guard of Grand Forks, ND.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Belcourt, ND. A Rosary Service will begin at 9:30 AM before the funeral mass. Burial will follow in St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Belcourt, ND. Father Tony Hession and Father Gary Luiten presiding. A meal will be held at the KC Hall, Belcourt, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.