Bruce Ordway

Bruce Ordway, 93, a Korean War Veteran, has transitioned peacefully to be with the Lord. He was surrounded by his family and friends and left filled with their love on May 13th at Halifax Health Medical Center in Port Orange, FL.

He was born on June 7th, 1932, in Marion, KY to Imogene (Baird) Ordway and Robert Ordway.

He was a star basketball player at Crittenden County High School and graduated April 3rd, 1952. He met the love of his life, Charlotte Ellen Dycus, and the two eloped at a young age and were married for 65 beautiful years before her passing on August 1st, 2017. Bruce Ordway was inducted into the Crittenden County Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

After serving in the US Navy during the Korean War, Bruce attended Purdue University Northwest in Hammond and began a long career as a chemist at DuPont in East Chicago. It was there Bruce and Charlotte started their family and raised their two children, Faye Renee Ordway and Gregory Bruce Ordway.

Bruce proudly served as Honor Guard representing the Merrillville American Legion Post 430 in numerous parades and community processions. Bruce was honored to be a Grand Marshall in the Daytona Beach Shores Holiday Parade in 2016.

As an ordained Deacon of the Presbyterian Church of Merrillville, IN, Bruce was a devoted Christian and dedicated his life to service and to helping others in every way possible. Bruce was an avid golfer, bowler, fisherman, boater, and loved playing checkers.

Bruce was dedicated to his family and served as a dependable light in the darkness. He was quick with a joke and could make anyone smile. He was slow to anger, but quick to show off his dance moves with his lovely wife, Charlotte. They became snowbirds in 2000 and spent six months in their condo in Daytona Beach Shores, FL, and six months on their homestead farm in Marion, KY.

Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Imogene (Baird) Ordway and Robert Ordway; and three siblings, Bobbie Jean Foster, Pete Ordway, and Martha Jane Fletcher. He is survived by his children, Renee Connelly (fiancé, Paul Puskar) and Greg (Sharon) Ordway; five grandchildren, April (Rick) Spangler, William Connelly, Brenton (Monica) Connelly, Rebecca (Dylan) Becraft, and Camden (Becca) Ordway; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He will forever hold a special place in their hearts as their idol, role model, and one of the greatest grandfathers and great-grandfathers (AKA Pops!). He taught kindness and respect, work ethic, and to love your family unconditionally.

The family would like to thank The Veteran’s Association, his doctors, nurses, home health aides, and physical therapist who helped tremendously to ensure quality care and maintaining dignity throughout Bruce’s life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 26th, 2026, at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307. Public visitation will be from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. An honorary military graveside service will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Ordway family.