Obituary: Bernard Eugene 'The Candy Man' Bruce

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Bernard Eugene "The Candy Man" Bruce, 83, of Eldorado, went to meet the Lord, surrounded by his family at 5:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Bernard was born in Omaha on July 11, 1928, a son of the late Clara (Pankey) and Guy Bruce.

He was a member of Raleigh First Baptist Church in Raleigh.

In his early years Bernard owned a service station in Chicago, then moved to Daytona Beach, Fla., and owned the Robin Hood Motel and two service stations. Later he moved back to Eldorado and worked Moorman Feed and later as a security officer at Roundy's.

He was the husband of Rita (Brown) Bruce, who survives.

Bernard is survived by two daughters, Robin (Tom) Myers of Eldorado and Guylene (Tom) Peebels of Carrier Mills; a son, Kevin Bruce of Kentucky; grandchildren, Aimee (Ryan) Sparrow of Ridgway, Ryan (Katie) Bruce of Eldorado, Andrew (Kendrea) Myers of Eldorado, Kyle Myers of Eldorado, Kasey Wiles of Benton and Alex Peebels of Carrier Mills; great-grandchildren, Hanna Sparrow of Ridgway, Jack Bruce of Eldorado, Mason Myers of Eldorado and Tucker Bruce of Eldorado; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Steven; three brothers, Frank, Troy and Glen; and four sisters, Gertrude Barker, Teresa McCauley, Eyleen Gau and Mildred Marie Bruce.

Funeral service will be held at Colonial Terrace Funeral Home, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, with the Rev. David Pinkerton officiating. Burial will be in Atkin Cemetery in Omaha.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Raleigh First Baptist Church Building Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family via the Internet site www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com