Mary Jo Bruce

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Josephine “Mary Jo” Bruce, 88, Canyon Lake, TX, formerly of Lawrence, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Lawrence.  Mary Jo passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Mary Jo was born on June 3, 1937, in Beloit, Kansas, the daughter of Arnold F. and Grace M. (Walter) Heiman.

She was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and School as was a member of the Altar Society. She was a homemaker.

She married Julian DePoy in September of 1958 in Beloit, Kansas. To this union was born son, Jeffrey Lynn Bruce (Joyce), Eaton, CO. Mary Jo later married Howard Bruce on August 7, 1966, in which he brought into their marriage children, Steven “Steve” A. Bruce, Lawrence, Margaret A. Bruce (Kurt), Platte City, MO, and Richard “Rick” L. Bruce, Sunrise Beach, MO. Together Howard and Mary Jo had four children, Rodney N. Bruce (Gwenda), Lawrence, Todd W. Bruce, Canyon Lake, TX, Jodell G. Elkinton (Brian), New Braunfels, TX, and Juli A. Beadleston (Matt), San Antonio, TX; 25 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; and one brother, Edmond Heiman, Pomona, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Howard, brother, Arnold Heiman and sister, Rita Stewart.

She was a school bus driver at First Student for 35 years until she retired in 2013.

A Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. with a visitation to follow until 8 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

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

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com