Russell LeRoy Bruce

Russell was born May 24, 1925, in Topeka, Kansas. His parents were Raymond LeRoy and Mary Ann Bruce. He grew up in Dixon, IL, and attended grade school and Dixon High School before he joined the Navy in 1941. He served in the North Atlantic and the Pacific aboard the USS Washington (BB-56) as a gunners mate.

After the war, he married Marian Arlene (Billie) Shafer on April 19, 1946, moved to Green Rock IL, and had one son, Michael LeRoy. Later they moved to Coal Valley, IL. Over the years, Russell worked as a draftsman for John Deere, Moline, IL, Greenhouse keeper for Stack’s Greenhouse, Moline, IL, implement mechanic for Worshing & Morris Implement, East Moline, IL, JI Case, Rock Island, IL, and International Harvester, East Moline, IL.

With his wife they operated the 4th Ave Diary Queen, Moline, in the 1950s. Later, along with their son, they owned and operated the Milan Maid-Rite and three Moline Maid-Rite restaurants for over 20 years until they retired in 1982. In 1992, they moved full time to Hayward, WI. There they operated the small resort they had bought in 1967 on Squaw (now Osprey) Lake making many friends through three generations of guests. They were known on the Lake for their love of wildlife and especially the hundreds of ducks they feed daily. He especially enjoyed taking care of the resort and the grounds.

Russell was a Life Member Master Mason of Valley Lodge, No. 547, Coal Valley, Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of the State of Illinois receiving his 50 year pin in 2008. He served as Worshipful Master and other offices of Valley Lodge. He was also a 32 degree Mason, A.A.S.R. Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Moline, IL, since 1960. He was also a member of Coal Valley Chapter #274, Order of the Eastern Star receiving his 50 year pin in 2008. He was also a Charter Member of the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.

In later years, he enjoyed meeting friends and the staff daily at the Co-op Restaurant. He especially enjoyed having family and friends gather at the family home on Round Lake for summer cookouts and Holiday dinners. He enjoyed decorating the home with his son for the Christmas season. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

He is survived by his son Michael (Daisy) Bruce, Hayward; two grand children, Terry (Laura) Bruce, Hayward, WI and Sherry (Doug) Selhost, Rock Island, IL; five great-grand children, Aimee Weaver, Kodi Wheeler, Corey Selhost, Zachary Bruce and Renee Bruce; great-great-grandsons, Cayden Weaver and Ryan Wheeler and great-great granddaughter Hadley Weaver.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marion in 2011 and his parents. There will be a private service and interment at a later date in Illinois. Memorials may be made to Regional Hospice, 1591W Company Lake Road, Hayward, WI 54843.