The Estate of the Honorable Paul Braunlich, family and friends

Laura was born May 30, 1932, in Monroe, Michigan, daughter of Charles and Margaret (Hivon) Yaeger. Laura graduated from Monroe High School in 1950 and attended Michigan State Normal College (now known as Eastern Michigan University). She had been employed by Michigan Bell Telephone Co., Yoas Jewelers, and River Raisin Paper Co., but had dedicated her life to her husband of 54 years as well as her five children. She enjoyed serving as a longtime volunteer for Mercy Memorial Hospital as well as serving Meals on Wheels. Laura was a life member of St. Mary Catholic Church.

Laura enjoyed entertaining her family on holidays, and also enjoyed boating and spending time on the lake with family and friends. She also enjoyed spending some 37 years in Florida during the Easter Season. She passed away March 20, 2008, at the age of 75.

Paul E. Braunlich was born December 12, 1931, the youngest son of William J. Braunlich, Sr. and Florentine H. (Maurer) Braunlich. He was educated at St. Mary’s grade school and graduated in the second class of Catholic Central High School in 1949. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, in 1953 and received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1959 from Notre Dame after serving in the Korean War as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, stationed in England, R.A.F. Station Woodbridge.

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, he was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan and was appointed in 1959 as an Assistant County Prosecutor by Charles J. Golden and started in private practice with L.E. “Brooks” Merman. In 1964, he was appointed to the position of City Attorney for the City of Monroe by Mayor Lawrence A. Frost. Later that same year, he was elected to the first four-year term as Prosecutor for the County of Monroe.

Judge Braunlich served as Legal Advisor in the County of Monroe and Board of County Commissioners from 1964 to 1989. He was appointed Village Attorney for Dundee from 1970 to 1989, as well as represented the Village of Estral Beach and Berlin Township. He was appointed Public Administrator for the County of Monroe by former Michigan Attorney General Frank J. Kelley and served in that capacity from 1977 to 1989.

On March 29, 1989 Governor James Blanchard appointed Paul E. Braunlich as District Judge of the First Judicial District of the State of Michigan. Judge Braunlich was subsequently elected in 1990 and 1996 for two 6-year terms. Judge Braunlich retired from the Bench in December of 2002 as required by law and returned to the private practice of law.

Judge Braunlich represented the Frenchtown Charter Township District Authority since 2003 as well as serving as a general civil case mediator. He was also a member of the City of Monroe Ethics Committee.

Judge Braunlich was a former President of C.Y.O. in 1979 as well as being the former president of United Way in 1964 and President of Exchange Club in 1980. He was awarded the Michigan Minuteman Citation of Honor by the Greater Michigan Foundation in 1989. He served as the Vice Chair of Mercy Memorial Hospital Foundation from 1998 to 2003. He served on the Board of Trustees of Mercy Memorial Hospital from 2010 to 2012 and also was on the ProMedica Philanthropy Advisory Committee. He served on the Monroe County Community Foundation Board from 2009 to 2015.

As a member of Monroe Boat Club since 1967, Judge Braunlich was elected Commodore in 1998 and acted as the Treasurer of the Blue Gavel, Monroe Chapter. As an avid lifetime boater, he owned 7 different boats, the current being the Legal Pad II.

Judge Braunlich was honored in 2009 by the State Bar of Michigan as a 50 year member. He was also a member of the American Bar Association, American Judicature Society, American Judges Association, former Chair of MDJA Rules Committee of Michigan, and former board member of Michigan District Judges Association. He passed away July 16, 2016, at the age of 84.

Paul and Laura married on June 5, 1954, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Five children were born to the two of them: Gregory P. (Karen), Judge Mark S. (Cheri), Deborah L. Cousino (Paul), Jeffrey S. (Kathi), and Edward C. (Lourdes). He is survived by 10 grandchildren: Sabrina, Emil, Brittany (Jacek), Dr. Kristi (Dr. Rhyan), Michael, Dr. Brian (Jessica), Capt. Thomas John (Hannah), Matthew, Charles, and William, as well as one great-grandchild, Noah Cousino. They are also survived by their nieces and nephews: William H. Braunlich, John Braunlich, Barbara West, Marcia Braunlich, Timothy Braunlich, Paula Furnari, Steven Braunlich, Michael Braunlich, Lisa Swica, and Julie Braunlich.