Bruce Munn

Bruce Munn was a true family man who found his greatest joy in the company of his wife and children. He centered his life around his children and greatly enjoyed the active role that he played in their lives. Bruce was always laughing and smiling, and each day he shared his positive spirits with the family and friends he loved so dearly.

The year 1955 marked an era of growth throughout America. Industry expanded like never before to meet the new demands of the peacetime nation, and with the Second World War receding into history, the baby boom pulsed across the country. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Burton Munn and his wife Beverly Dooley were among the many expecting parents. On August 14, 1955 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son Bruce.

When Bruce was two years old, his family moved from Florida to Michigan where they settled in the Millwood neighborhood of Kalamazoo. Here he grew up in the company of his sister Terry, who was younger by three and a half years, and Peggy, who was younger by ten years. The three enjoyed a normal sibling relationship with Bruce being the protective big brother

Bruce attended Milwood Elementary, Milwood Junior High, and Loy Norrix High School, from where he graduated in 1973. All through his youth he played sports with baseball as his specialty. His love for baseball would follow Bruce through his life, and in his later years he would travel around the country with the Bunca Car Wash softball team playing tournaments and games.

Bruce and his father enjoyed a very close relationship. Bruce learned the meaning of hard work through his father's example. In addition to running his own business, his father worked as a locksmith for the Kalamazoo public schools. As a teenager Bruce often worked alongside him during the summers. When he retired, Bruce took over his job as locksmith for Kalamazoo Public School.

On September 19, 1986 Bruce married Connie Devault at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Portage. They were blessed with three beautiful children, Alexis in 1988, Anna in 1990, and Bryce in the year 2000. Together with his wedding day, the births of his children mark the happiest days in Bruce's life.

Bruce was a supportive and dedicated father who always stayed involved in his kids' activities. He encouraged his daughters to play sports, especially softball. Bruce coached and helped out on their softball teams through West Portage Little League and Kalamazoo Klash Travel Softball Club. He also planned many family outings around his girls' sports activities.

In addition to sports, Bruce found many special ways to spend time with his family. In his own childhood, he and his family would often go camping together. When he became a father, Bruce continued in this tradition, often taking the family up North near Sleeping Bear Dunes. In the last few summers Bruce and his son Bryce had several special camping experiences with just the two of them.

With a personality that endeared him to many people, Bruce formed many long-lasting friendships over the years. He was an easy-going man with a down-to-earth attitude and a dependable nature. He liked to laugh and have a good time, but he never needed to be the center of attention. These same qualities also made Bruce an excellent coach. His players loved having him as their coach, and they would often keep in contact with him long after the season was over. Bruce remained close with his sisters throughout his life. He and his sisters all had their first children around the same time, which strengthened the bond between them.

Bruce will be remembered as a man who deeply cared for others and would do anything to help out a friend. Bruce was a devoted family man who did everything with his kids and family in mind. He was the happiest when he was with his loving wife and children, and in their company a familiar smile always brimmed over his lips. Bruce touched many hearts during his lifetime, and he will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Bruce died on Friday, October 07, 2005 at his home after a three year struggle with cancer. Learn more about Bruce, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home in Portage. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Monica Catholic Church. Members of his family include his wife Connie, 3 children: Alexis, Anna and Bryce, his Mother Beverly and her husband Charles Haines of Portage, 2 sisters: Terry and her husband David Swanson of Kalamazoo and Peggy Fitzpatrick of Portage, brother-in-law Scott Fitzpatrick of Portage, nephews: Tyler and Cody Fitzpatrick and Eric Swanson, mother and father in-law: Linda and Duane Devault. He follows in death his father Burton Munn. Bruce will be buried in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Please visit Bruce's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation to a trust fund for their children's education, Hospice Care of SW Michigan, or West Portage Little League.