Joe Dean Bruce

Joe Dean Bruce, 88, of Joplin, MO, formerly of Welch, OK, passed away Sunday, November 14, 2021, at Mercy Hospital, after a short illness. He was born May 9, 1933 in Labette County, Kansas, to Oliver Harry and Adah Lavina (Laizure) Bruce. He attended CCCHS in Columbus and worked on his father's farm before being inducted into the United States Army in 1953. He went to boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, in Arkansas, followed by Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, VA. He served his country for 18 months in Korea, near Seoul. On September 3, 1955, Joe was married to Joy Kelsey, in a ceremony at the Mound Valley Baptist Church. They then purchased a farm near Welch. Although farming and ranching was his passion, he worked for 30 years at B.F. Goodrich, working until it closed in 1986. He then worked at Ken's Farm and Home in Miami for fifteen years. Joe and Joy were the parents to three children, Kristi, Lori, and Michael. The family's life centered around their church, the Welch Baptist Church. Joe enjoyed his grandchildren, and he enjoyed using his dry wit to tease them. "I think you're pulling my leg", he would say, as one of them would be trying to have a serious conversation. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dale and Harold Bruce; and two sisters, Lucille Shanks and Doris Wyrick. He is survived by his wife Joy; children Kristi Lamb and husband Timothy, of Tulsa, Lori Schiska and husband Alan, of rural Joplin, and Michael Bruce and wife Teressa, of Moundville, Alabama; Also surviving are grandchildren, Ryan and Jennifer McClintock, and their children, Abigail and Lucas of Perkasie, Pennsylvia, Melissa Kilzer, and children, London, Eowyn and Ryker of Parker, CO, Misty Nelson and husband Rich of Grandby, CO, Tyler and Kelsey Waldrep of Trussville, Alabama, and Eli Bruce of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A visitation will be held for family and friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at the Welch Baptist Church. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 17, 2021, also at the church. Pastor Ralph Heiney will officiate. He will be laid to rest in the Fairview Cemetery, east of Chetopa. Casket bearers will be Eli and Michael Bruce, Tim Lamb, Alan Schiska, Tyler Waldrep, and Dewayne Wallace. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Welch Baptist Church.

Joe Dean Bruce

May 9, 1933 - November 14, 2021