Stephen Eugene Bruce Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Stephen Eugene Bruce (1952 - 2021) Stephen Eugene Bruce, age 69, a life-long resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. Stephen was born the son of Earl White and Joan Bruce on June 2, 1952, in Chillicothe, Missouri. After the death of his mother, Stephen was adopted by his grandmother, Emma Jean Bruce who raised him as her own. He was a 1971 graduate of Chillicothe High School where he was a 3-sport athlete (football, basketball, and track). He was a proud Hornet, earned the nickname "Lightning", and long held the record for the longest punt return in a Missouri State Championship game - a 48-yard punt return in 1970. Stephen worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections for 32 years and was known as "Papa Bruce" to his players when he served as the baseball coach for American Legion Post #25 Chillicothe Cardinals, for over 10 years. Stephen loved watching his grandchildren play sports - and was loved by all of his grandchildren's teammates and parents. Nobody could miss that voice cheering them on. He was a competitive card player (you know if you ever played him), loved attending car shows with his great friends George and Kenneth Kitchin, but his greatest love was spending time with his family and close friends. He will be dearly missed, but as he would often say, "Welcome to America." He is survived by his son, Dr. Duane Bruce of Athens, Ohio, daughter, Kasey Lawson and husband Terence of Kansas City, Missouri, and son, Josh Bruce and wife Angie of Smithville, Missouri. He was also "papa" to four grandchildren - TaKayla and Thomas Lawson and Johanna and Jalen Bruce; and is also survived by one half-sister, Linda White-Smith of Pasadena, California, and one half-brother, Tim White of Pomona, California. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl White, and mother, Joan Bruce. Funeral services will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Monday, August 23, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. The family request that masks be worn at the funeral service. There is no scheduled visitation. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Sunday, August 22, 2021, from 12 noon until 6:00 pm. Burial will be held at Mooresville Cemetery, Mooresville, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vern R. Glick American Legion Post #25, designated for the baseball program that he loved so much. Contributions may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.

Stephen Eugene Bruce

June 2, 1952 - August 18, 2021