Howard Leroy Bruce

A Mass of Christian Burial for Howard Leroy Bruce, 90, Canyon Lake, TX, formerly of Lawrence, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Lawrence.  Howard passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2022 peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Howard was born on May 22, 1932 in Hunter, Kansas the son of Nelson Ray and Marguerite (Lashell) Bruce.

He was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and School as well as, a 4 ^th Degree Knight of Columbus. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family and friends.

He married Elizabeth Eilert in September of 1953 in Beloit, KS. To this union was born Steven “Steve” A. Bruce, Lawrence, Margaret A. Bruce (Kurt), Platte City, MO, and Richard “Rick” L. Bruce (Linda), Sunrise Beach, MO.  Elizabeth passed away in 1964.  Howard later married Mary Jo Heiman on August 7, 1966 in which she brought into their marriage a son, Jeffrey Lynn Bruce (Joyce), Eaton, CO.  Together Howard and Mary Jo had four children, Rodney N. Bruce (Gwenda), Lawrence, Todd W. Bruce, Canyon Lake, TX, Jodell G. Elkinton (Brian), Canyon Lake, TX, and Juli A. Beadleston (Matt), San Antonio, TX; 25 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and four sisters, Neola F. Wolfbrandt, Nancy J. Joyner, Shela Phiefer, and Vickie J. Fasulo. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Bernice (Hackenberg) Bruce, and two sisters, Lois Obert and Carol Brown.

He was a Electrician Supervisor at Farmland Industries for 39 years until he retired in 1994.

A Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. with a visitation to follow until 8 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials in Howard’s name to St. John Catholic School and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.