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      Obituary
    
    
     
    
      
     
    John Robert Bruce, Jr., 
    75, of Huntington, WV, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Rivers Bend 
    Health Care in South Point, Ohio. He was born July 19, 1938, in Huntington, 
    to the late John R. and Nevada Earl Bruce. John was a graduate of the 1956 
    class at Huntington High School, and also a 1974 graduate from Marshall 
    University. He was a retired engineer from Marathon Ashland Petroleum 
    Company with over 25 years of service, and from Eta Engineering Consultants. 
    He was a lifelong musician, performing for a brief time as pianist with the 
    Gospel Harmony Boys in 1957-58, and was a past member of the American 
    Federation of Musicians Local #362-691 while performing in several groups 
    including those led by Larry Navy and Bill Spurlock. John was a devoted 
    member of Second Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder, choir 
    director and organist. He was a dedicated husband and loving father. He was 
    preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Betty Ann Ellis Bruce, 
    and two sisters Marcella Sizemore and Lillian Johnson. He is survived by his 
    son J. Robert Bruce, III and his wife Patti of Huntington, two grandchildren 
    John R. Bruce, IV and Lindsay Ann Marie Bruce; one sister Rilla Bruce Kilver; 
    and several nieces and nephews: Roberta Ackerman, John F. Kilver, Shirley 
    Perego, Jeanne Lusk Speakes, Russ Allen Fortner, Mike Fortner, Debbie 
    Ferguson and Tammy Ballengee. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 pm 
    Sunday, January 5, 2014 at the Reger Funeral Chapel, Huntington, WV by Rev. 
    Jamie Gump. Burial will follow with committal services being conducted by 
    Rev. David Richards at Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington. The family will 
    receive friends from 5 to 7 pm Saturday, January 4, 2014 at the Reger 
    Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Huntington, 
    and to the Second Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.  The family would 
    like to express a special thanks to the staff of Rivers Bend Health Care, 
    the J. Robert Pritchard Dialysis Center, and to Hospice of Huntington for 
    their loving care and support.  
    
      
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