Beverly ‘Bev’ Ann (Emery) Bruce

Beverly “Bev” Ann (Emery) Bruce, age 82, passed away peacefully and into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior and surrounded by her family on June 1, 2020 at Mill Pond Health Campus in Greencastle.

Beverly was born on July 11, 1937 in Beech Grove, the daughter of the late Paul and Norma Emery.

Beverly graduated from George Washington High School in Indianapolis in 1955.

Her proudest titles were Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma, and she was a cherished wife, sister, aunt, friend and DePauw “mom” to many over the years.

She met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Bruce, during her senior year in high school. They got engaged at her prom in May 1955 and married on Sept. 17, 1955. They were married for 46 years. Bob and Bev raised three precious children initially in Indianapolis before moving to Greencastle in 1966.

During those years, Bev was extremely involved in her church activities at Gobin United Methodist while raising her family with Bob and later on her life at Clinton Falls Community Church, Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Ladies Auxiliary of the Greencastle Elks Lodge, Boys Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, PTA, Classroom Mom and all the activities and sports her children were involved in – she never missed an event.

Bev faithfully cared for her family and friends through her love of cooking, sharing her skills of cross-stitch, reading and her favorite holiday, Christmas. Faith, family, friends and fun were her most important values.

Bev was a stay-at-home mom for many years, was instrumental in helping her husband start B&E Electric, where she did all of their bookkeeping, and ended her working career at DePauw University for 30 years. First, she was the assistant to the head of Roy O. West Library at DePauw and then moved to the registrar’s office. She was known for her brilliant smile, her willingness to go up and above her regular duties, her love for taking DePauw students “under her wing” and her fashion style – specifically her jewelry, her love for wearing a different B&W outfit each day in the month of May as well as her Christmas clothing collection starting after Thanksgiving every year.

She retired in June 2002 and, unfortunately, Bob passed away just six weeks prior to her retirement.

Bev loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren, cross-stitching, traveling, going to Putnam County Playhouse performances; long lunches with her friends, the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Robert (Bob), of 46 years; her oldest son Stephen Gordon Bruce; her younger brother Bill Cook; her younger sister Sharon Kaye (Cook) Asa; and her special sister-in-law Sandy Cook.

She is survived by her only daughter, Vicki Lynn (Bruce) Wallace, and her husband David from Springboro, Ohio; her son Jefferey Scott Bruce from Evansville; her seven devoted grandchildren, Michael (Jennifer) Bruce, Matthew (Alaina) Bruce, Bret Wallace, AJ Bruce, Lindsay Wallace, Emily Bruce and Megan Bruce; her four great-grandchildren, Rachael, Ryan, Sierra and Elijah; her stepbrother Richard (Mary Lynn) Emery; and many nieces and nephews.

The Bruce/Wallace family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Mill Pond Assisted Living, especially Chris Alspaugh, Shannon Fitzpatirck and Maggie with Elara Hospice Care.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 at Bittles & Hurt Funeral Home, with Rev. Karl Sparks officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Memories may be shared with the family at www.BittlesandHurt.com.