Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

A memorial service for Dr. George R. Brahler, 89, Lawrence, will be at a later date.Dr. Brahler died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, in Yellow Springs, Ohio.He was born Oct. 1, 1919, in St. Joseph, Mo., the son of Benjamin C. and Earle Brown Brahler.Dr. Brahler was inducted into the U.S. Army on Oct. 16, 1942. He served in the 10th Armored Division during World War II. He was ambushed in the Battle of the Bulge and assisted in the liberation of Dachau prison camp. He was a first lieutenant in the Dental Division Detachment at Fort Riley during the Korean war.He was a pitcher for the 3rd Army baseball team and later for Gallagher’s fast pitch team in Lawrence as well as the Hornets of Topeka.Before going to Europe, Dr. Brahler played the trombone during the “Army Hour” on several national radio programs as a member of the 10th Armored Division Band in Augusta, Ga. He later played professionally in a studio band at KFEQ and for the Dutch Young Orchestra in St. Joseph, Mo. He was personally invited by Tommy Dorsey to audition for his band in California.He graduated from St. Joseph Junior College and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dental School in 1951. He was a member of Delta Sigma Delta fraternity.In 1953, Dr. Brahler moved to Lawrence and practiced dentistry until he retired in 2003. His first office was above the Royal College Shoe Shop on Massachusetts Street and later at 944 Ky. He invented the first disposable prophy angle that he marketed throughout the country.Dr. Brahler was a member of Douglas County Dental Society, Kansas State Dental Society, and had been on the Board of Trustees for Plymouth Congregational Church. He also served as a school dentist.He married Ella Marie Bidding on April 13, 1942, at the Wyatt Park Christian Church in St. Joseph. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include two daughters, Jacque Shipstead and husband Sam, Lawrence, and Dr. C. Jayne Brahler, Yellow Springs, Ohio; two sons, Jeff and wife Bonnie, Lawrence, and John and wife Kelli, Lawrence; four grandchildren, Hilarie Splichal, Stephanie Moore, George Brahler II and Grace Brahler; and four great-grandchildren, Jayne and Samuel Splichal and Ella and Phoebe Moore.The family suggests memorials to Douglas County Dental Society, sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.