Timothy M. Braun

Tim Braun, 60, Muhlenberg Township, passed away on April 1, 2007, at home, surrounded by his family.

He was the husband of Evelyn (Auchenbach) Braun.

Born in Reading, PA, he was the son of the late Frederick and Rita (Gallagher) Braun.

At the time of his death, Tim was employed by Schuylkill Valley School District as an alternative education instructional assistant, last working on October 23, 2006.

He was a member of Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, Hyde Park.

Braun was a 1964 graduate of Muhlenberg High School, where he was the Outstanding Male Athlete. A three-sport athlete at Muhlenberg, Tim continued his passion for athletics and had an outstanding career as a PIAA basketball official for 27 years. He officiated games at the county, district and state levels, including three Eastern finals and two state finals.

Tim served as president of the Berks County Basketball Officials Association and was a member of the College Basketball Officials Association and the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials.

In 1986, Tim began his tenure as head coach of the Muhlenberg girls' softball team. Over the course of the last 21 seasons with a 309-143 record, the teams have competed at the county, district and state levels, claiming the Berks County championship in 1994 and winning District III titles in 1993, 2000 and 2004. The Muhlenberg School District honored Tim this past November when they dedicated their new softball stadium in his name. He was also inducted into the Muhlenberg Hall of Fame in 2006.

He also served as the assistant boys' basketball coach at Muhlenberg and in recent years, had been the Schuylkill Valley boys' junior varsity basketball coach.

In 1999, Tim was named to the Berks County Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame and this past summer, was honored by the Berks County Basketball Old-Timers as an honorary life member. Tim also served as the vice-president of the Muhlenberg Athletic Booster Club, volunteering his time and efforts for 13 years.

In addition to his wife, Evie, he is survived by his children: Erika (Braun) Sager, wife of Roger Sager, Leesport; and Timothy A. Braun, husband of Christine (Tyler) Braun, Mt. Penn.

Other survivors include a brother, Leo, husband of Judith (Grund) Braun, Centennial, CO; a sister, Nancy (Braun) Beitler, wife of Edward Beitler, Fogelsville; and grandchildren, Meghan and Nicholas Sager and Emilie and Vivien Braun.

Additional survivors include in-laws, Warren and Evelyn Auchenbach, Temple; brother-in-law, Robert and wife, Lyndell Auchenbach, Harleysville; and nieces Lori Swanson, Tracy Mansoor, Melissa Jernigan and Jennifer Auchenbach. He was predeceased by a sister, Susan.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at 10 a.m. in Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, 3121 Kutztown Road, Hyde Park.

Entombment will be in Gethsemane Mausoleum. Friends may call in the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, on Monday, April 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. For online condolences, please visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to MHS Braun Scholarship, c/o Scott Schwank, Muhlenberg High School, Sharp and Frances Streets, Reading,PA 19605.