Versailles, IN lost a much loved and highly respected man. Merrill E. Bruce, age 73, left this world Monday afternoon, March 6, 2017. He was born October 3, 1943 in North Vernon, IN to the late Willard Edgar and Georgia Welch Bruce. Merrill married the love of his life, Linda Lohrum, on February 1, 1964 in Olean, IN, and she still survives at home.

He was a deeply devoted and dedicated forty-three year member of the Versailles First Baptist Church.  There for many years, he had sung in the church choir and had also served as past moderator, adult Sunday school teacher, and assistant treasurer. Other memberships included the Versailles Lions Club and the Butlerville Masonic F. & A.M. Lodge #219 of which he was a fifty-year member.

From 1971 through 1984, he worked at Ohio Rod in Versailles. Then in 1984, he started his own business “Multiple Components Sales,” which he ran and operated for twenty-five years.

His favorite hobby of all was “bass fishing”! He was a member of Bassmasters of Jefferson County, IN. He competed in the Bassmasters Open at Lake Sam Rayburn, TX numerous times and the Indiana Bass Federation/ top eight state team and the Hoosier Open Tournament.

He loved his church and community, but most of all his family. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Linda, son Shannon Bruce of Ohio, and brother Darrel (Margaret) Bruce of Westport, IN.

Services will be held all in one day, Friday, March 10, 2017 at the Versailles First Baptist Church with visitation being from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral at 12:00 noon.  Burial will be at Greendale Cemetery of Osgood, IN.  Memorials may go to the Versailles Baptist Church, Osgood Kiwanis, or Rescue 69.

Our funeral home has been blessed with having Linda work for us for several years, giving emotional support and spiritual strength to the many families we have served. Our prayers, love and peaceful wishes are with you at this time.

Arrangements by Neal’s Funeral Home

www.nealsfuneralhome.net

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