John L. Bruce

John L. “Jack” Bruce age 80 of Elkton died Wednesday afternoon, May 17, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Saginaw from a ruptured aortic aneurysm.
He was born August 7, 1925 in Chandler Twp. at the home of his parents, the late Alec and Laura (Mc Donald) Bruce.
After high school Jack was inducted into the US Army and served in the Philippines during WWII. After he returned from the army he married Bernadine M Gelnaw on September 27, 1947 at St. Felix Catholic Church, Pinnebog. They made their home and raised their children on the family farm in Chandler Twp. While farming, he also worked as a truck driver at Michigan Lumber Fabricators in Elkton. On July 26, 1971, Bernie passed away.
On August 24, 1973, Jack married Patricia A. (LaCross) Kivel at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon and a short time later they moved into Elkton. He continued his work at Michigan Lumber until they closed in 1979. He then worked at Active Industries until retiring in 1989. All though retired, he worked part time for Auto Color of Elkton, and driving truck for Herford Farms.
He was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church and the Tip of the Thumb VFW Post #2236, Pigeon.
Surviving are his wife, Patricia; fourteen children, John (Jenny) Bruce of Pigeon, Ted (Kathy) Bruce of Benzonia, Dan (Sally) Bruce of Elkton, Jim (Harriet) Bruce of Bay Port, Bill (Linda) Bruce of Unionville, Lorie (Ray) Krohn, Kathy (Randy) Kerr and Mike Bruce all of Elkton, Dave (Edwinna) Bruce of Capac and Brad Bruce of Clarkston, Gary (Paulette) Kivel of Lupton, Sherry Burns of Cass City and Kevin Kivel of Elkton; 37 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; daughter-in-law Barb Herford of Elkton; son-in-law, Paul Smith of Lapeer and a sister, Marge (Willard) Seley of Elkton.
Preceding him in death were three children, Susan Bruce, Linda Smith and Don Bruce; his granddaughter, Kalee Bruce and four sisters, Kate Itchue, Angela Walsh, Genevieve Treen and Ann Lincoln.
A funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM Saturday, May 20, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon. Rev. Fr. Joseph Schabel will officiate with burial in St. Felix Cemetery, Pinnebog.
A parish scripture service will be conducted 7:00 PM Friday evening at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton where friends may call from 2 to 9 PM Friday and at the church after 10:00 AM Saturday.
Memorials may be given to St. Francis or to the family.