Frederick "Fred" T. Van Brunt, Sr.

Frederick "Fred" T. Van Brunt, Sr. 83, of Massillon, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025. Fred was born in Newark, NJ on April 22, 1941 the son of the late H. Kenneth and Agnes (Prosser) Van Brunt.

As a young man, Fred dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and the mission of The Salvation Army. He grew up in West Orange, NJ and attended the Kearny Corps with his family. He entered The Salvation Army training college in 1961, and was commissioned as a Servant Of Christ in 1963. He met the love of his life and his partner in ministry, Barbara (Huntsman) as a fellow cadet at the training college and they were married in 1964. Together they served as pastors, youth ministers, camp directors, and later as church administrators and leaders over 44+ years of service across the Eastern US. Fred was a role model and mentor to countless young people and officers over his many years of ministry. After “retiring” to Massillon in 2007 to be near his grandchildren, Fred continued to work for the development department in Cleveland. Later he and Barb together continued to serve in a pastoral care role for The Salvation Army in Northeast Ohio. As Fred gradually retired (for real) he enjoyed more time with his family, tinkering on woodworking projects in his shop, haggling at auctions, and cultivating a lovely garden and landscape.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara L. Van Brunt, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage; children, Fred Van Brunt, Jr., Carolyn Van Brunt, Phil Van Brunt, and Jennifer (Eric Pridham) Van Brunt; grandchildren, Thomas (Molly) Miller, Michael (Lauren) Miller, Nolan Van Brunt, and Keagan (Lindsay) Abbott; great-grandchildren, Jack Miller, and Gianna Miller; sister, Madeline Starr; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Douglas and Kenneth Van Brunt; grandson, Collin Abbott; and infant daughter, Hope Marie.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 10-11 am at The Salvation Army: 315 - 6th Street NE, Massillon, OH 44646. A Celebration of Fred's life will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army of Massillon. Those unable to attend the service may go to https://www.facebook.com/share/1BH9gpHBfL/?mibextid=wwXIfr at 11 am to watch the live streaming of the service. To share a memory of Fred or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guest book below.