Rev. Jerry Paul Bruce, 83, of Ironton passed away Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky.
The Scioto County Ohio native was born June 4, 1925, the son of the late Jerry and Elva Daniels Bruce. He was the husband of Erma Jean Gollihugh Bruce whom he married in 1946.
Mr. Bruce attended Green Township schools and was a U.S. Navy Korean War veteran. He retired in 1985 from Alpha Portland Cement Company where he worked as a machinist.
He was a grader operator for Green Township and he was a Green Township trustee, a member of the Ohio Valley Baptist Association and he was a farmer.
He was also a minister at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church, Royersville Missionary Baptist Church and Perkins Ridge Missionary Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Sherlene Lavender and Roberta Bruce and three brothers, Albert W., Raymond P. and Plymond O. Bruce.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, Jerry Paul “Sonny” Bruce Jr. of Cartersville, Ga.; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael David and Jean Bruce of Ironton; Jason, Ronald Gene Bruce of Ironton; a daughter, Carol Bruce Sexton of Ironton; a sister, Edith Mae Daniels of Ironton; a sister, Mary Louise Dearfield of Ironton; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Junior Furnace Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Buckeye Cemetery.
Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Monday at Phillips Funeral Home. The body will lie in state one hour before the service at the church. To offer condolences to family please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.