FAMILY  FOLIAGE.

Verna Evelyn Alene Graham  (1927 ~ 2000)

 

5.8.9.1. First child of Florence E. Adams and J. Alexander Graham, Verna Evelyn Alene Graham, was born April 2, 1927, in Conn, W. Luther Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario.

  She married Norris Bruce, son of Francis John Lewis Bruce and Margaret Merklinger, November 11, 1944, Arthur Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario and had five children:  

 

• (5.8.9.1.1)  Ross Douglas  (1944 ~ ) 

• (5.8.9.1.2)  Shirley Mae  (1947 ~ ) 

• (5.8.9.1.3)  Robert Norris  (1950 ~ ) 

• (5.8.9.1.4)  Lynne Evelyn  (1952 ~ )

• (5.8.9.1.5)  John Alexander  (1956 ~ )

 

  Verna E. Graham Bruce died December 31, 2000, aged 73 years and Norris Bruce died February 2, 1983, aged 60 years in Orangeville, Ontario, and are interred at Greenwood Cemetery.  

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----- OBITUARIES -----

 

Verna E. Graham Bruce

At Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville, on Sunday, December 31, 2000, Verna Evelyn Alene Graham of Orangeville in her 74th year, beloved wife of the late Norris Bruce. Loving mother of Ross & Linda Bruce, Shirley & Murray Brolley, Bob & Janis Bruce, Lynne & Mike Boyd, John & Donna Bruce. Fondly remembered by her 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

  Dear sister of Norma Rae and predeceased by Elda Stockdale and Elaine Robinson. The family received their friends and family at the Egan Funeral Home Baxter & Giles Chapel, 273 Broadway, Orangeville from Wednesday afternoon. Funeral service was held in the chapel on Thursday, January 4, 2001, at 2 o'clock. Interment Greenwood Cemetery, Orangeville. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Critical Care Unit, Headwaters Health Care Centre, 100 Rolling Hills Drive, Orangeville L9W 4X9. Orangeville Citizen, Jan. 5, 2001.

 

Norris Bruce

October 25, 1922 ~ February 2, 1983

After a short illness, Norris Bruce of Orangeville, died on February 2, 1983 at Dufferin Area Hospital at the age of 60.

  Born in Grand Valley, he was the son of the late Margaret and Frank Bruce.

  He is survived by his wife, Verna (Graham) whom he married on November 11, 1944 in Arthur.

  He worked for 10 years at Greening Donald Ltd. in Orangeville after moving into town from his family’s farm in 1970. He was also a member of the Monticello United Church.

He is survived by three sons, Ross of Kitchener, Bob of Cambridge, and John, who lives at home, as well as two daughters, Shirley (Mrs. Murray Brolley) of Egbert, Ont., and Lynne (Mrs. Michael Boyd) of Georgetown.

  He is also survived by sisters Ilia (Mrs. Clarence Cook) of Grand Valley and Laura of Kitchener.

  He was predeceased by brothers Wallace and Robert.

  Funeral services were held February 4 at Baxter and Giles Chapel in Orangeville with Rev. D. Vollmer officiating.

  Pallbearers were nephews Raymond Bruce of Port McNicoll, Grant Bruce of Shelburne, Ronald Cooke of Grand Valley, Dorrance Cooke of Grand Valley, Bruce Raw of Erin and Ralph Stockdale of Peterborough.

  Flower bearers were granddaughters Sheila and Cathy Bruce of Kitchener and Donna and Sandra Brolley of Egbert.

  Burial took place at Greenwood Cemetery. Mount Forest Confederte, Feb. 23, 1983.

 

Francis J. Bruce

November 7, 1880 ~ October 8, 1955

There passed peacefully away at his home on Saturday, October 8, 1955, at 4 o’clock, a life long resident and pioneer farmer of East Luther Township in the person of Frank Bruce, in his 75th year. The late Mr. Bruce was of a cheerful disposition and bore his lengthy sickness with hope and courage to the end.

  The late Mr. Bruce was the second son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bruce, of East Luther and was born at Colbeck, November 7, 1880, on the farm now occupied by his brother, William Bruce. He lost his mother at the age of 13 and left school, starting out in life for himself having worked for many of the older farmers in the surrounding community. In 1904, at the age of 24, he purchased the farm on Lot 23, Con. 13, and started up farming for himself.

  On July 3, 1906, he married Margaret Merklinger, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Merklinger, Proton Township.  Frank took a keen interest in farming besides having bought himself a threshing machine which he operated for many years.  Two years ago he was stricken with a heart attack and was unable to do anything since.

  Besides his widow, a family of wo sons and two daughters remain to mourn the loss of a loving husband and father: Wallace, Colbeck; Mrs. Clarence Cook (Ilia), Jessopville; Laura, Kitchener; Norris, at home; one son, Robert, predeceased him in Jan., 1942; one brother, William, of Colbeck and one sister, Mrs. Matt Allen, of Orangeville, and nine grandchildren.

  The late Mr. Bruce was a member of Monticello United Church.  The funeral, which was held from his late home on Tuesday afternoon, was largely attended. Rev. G. E. Leck, minister of Monticello United Church was in charge. Mrs. Orval Townsend of Monticello, rendered, “Beyond the Sunset.”

  The following acting as pallbearers: Jim Hooker, Wallace Hills, George Bruce, Joe Hills, Lorne Hills and Cliff Hall.

  The beautiful floral tributes showed the esteem in which he was held and were carried by grandchildren and nephews: Raymond, Grant and Wanda Bruce, Ronald and Dorrence Cooke, Ross and Shirley Bruce, Wilbert Merklinger, Gordon Small, Norman Merklinger, Ivan Ritchie, Bill Corbett.

  Interment was made in Grand Valley Union Cemetery. Grand Valley Star & Vidette, Oct. 12, 1955.

 

Margaret Merklinger Bruce

October 18, 1883 ~ November 2, 1955

On Wednesday, November 2, 1955, Mrs. Frank Bruce, a well known and highly respected resident of East Luther Twp. passed suddenly away at her home here.

  The deceased was in robust health until April, 1945, when she suffered a severe paralytic stroke which kept her bedfast for three months. Gradually gaining strength she was able to get about and continue her duties of housekeeping and enjoying the little pleasures for life, when, in November, 1950, she was stricken with another stroke and was once more bedfast for sometime. Again rallying, she was able to continue her household duties and get around very well. Although having suffered several slight strokes she never once became discouraged or felt she was unable to carry on her daily tasks. In July, 1955, she had the misfortune to fall at her home where she suffered a broken hip. Having to be moved to Toronto General Hospital, she had the hip pinned and was brought home where she remained in critical condition for several weeks. With good nursing care by her family and Mrs. A. Tone, she fought her battle and once more was able to be up and about in a wheelchair. Just a month previous she received quite a shock learning of the sudden passing of her brother, Martin Merklinger, who had spent much of his time with her during the past few years. Then a much greater gap was left by the death of her husband, who passed away about 11 days later. Since the passing of her husband, her brother, David Merklinger, of Mossbank, Sask., had been visiting with her and on Tuesday, Nov. 1, she had accompanied him to Riverview where he was going to spend a few weeks. Leaving for home about 4:30 p.m. she was quite cheerful and enjoyed her visit. Suddenly at 5:30, she suffered another very severe stroke and in about two hours became unconscious, passing away about 5:30 Wednesday evening.

  Mrs. Bruce had just turned 73 on October 18, the family having prepared a fowl dinner on Saturday, October 22, along with her brother David, and her sister, Louisa, who unexpectedly arrived home with Laura on Friday evening. She received many gifts and they spent a very pleasant time together.

  Mrs. Bruce was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jake Merklinger, Proton Twp., where she resided until her marriage in 1906 to the late Frank Bruce. They moved to the latter’s farm in East Luther Twp., where, had they both been spared until next July 3, they would have spend 50 years. Her husband predeceased her on October 8, 1955, a few short weeks previous.

  Left to mourn the loss of loving parents, are two sons and two daughters: Wallace, Colbeck; Ilia (Mrs. Clarence Cooke), Jessopville; Laura, Kitchener and Norris, at home. One son, Robert, predeceased them in January, 1942. Also surviving are two sisters and a brother, Louisa (Mrs. John Kramp), Hanover; Tena (Mrs. James Small), Hamilton, and David, Mossbank, Sask., and nine grandchildren.

Mrs. Bruce was a member of Monticello United Church.

The funeral, which was held from her late home, on Saturday afternoon, was largely attended. Rev. G. Leck, minister of Monticello United Church was in charge.  Mrs. Orval Townsend, of Monticello, rendered, “In the Upper Garden There.”

  The pallbearers were six nephews: Wilbert Merklinger, Morris Bruce, Norman Merklinger, Ivan Ritchie, Bill Corbett and Bill Small.

  The beautiful floral tributes showed the esteem in which she was held and were carried by grandchildren and nephews: Ray and Grant Bruce, Ronald and Dorrance Cooke, Ross and Shirley Bruce, Edgar Merklinger, George Corbett, Borden Kramp, Roy Merklinger, Leonard Ritchie and Ernie Nichols.

  Interment was made in Grand Valley Union Cemetery. Grand Valley Star & Vidette, Nov. 16, 1955.

         

Robert Bruce

November 15, 1848 ~ April 25, 1918

Robert Bruce, an early settler of East Luther, and for some years a resident of Grand Valley died on April 25, 1918, in his 70th year. For a couple of years or so he had been a sufferer from anaemia, and during the last few weeks was confined to his room. He was born in Ireland and when 19 years old came to Canada settling in Luther on Lot 30 in the 10th Concession, which he cleared. He was twice married his first wife dying 24 years ago, and about 9 years afterwards he married Elizabeth Brown who survives, as well as the following children by the first marriage: David at Innisfree, Alberta; Frank and William in Luther; Robert at Innisfree, Alberta; Mrs. James Ritchie of Amaranth and Emma at home. The funeral took place to the Union Cemetery, Grand Valley. Orangeville Banner, May 9, 1918.

 

Margaret Ann Brown Bruce

May 5, 1857 ~ March 5, 1894

 

Elizabeth Brown Bruce

May 1, 1860 ~ January 10, 1939

There passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Ritchie, Colbeck, on Tuesday, January 10, 1939, a former resident of this place in the person of Mrs. Robert Bruce of Grand Valley. Mrs. Bruce’s maiden name was Elizabeth Brown. She was a daughter of the late Frank Brown and Emily Cassels of East Luther Township. She was born in Ireland in the County of Armagh and came with her parents to Canada when she was six years old. The deceased was in her 79th year. She was married to the late Robert Bruce 37 years ago. Together they farmed in this community for some years before going to Grand Valley. Mrs. Bruce was of a very cheerful disposition and had many friends and was a welcome visitor in the sick room, in fact as a practical nurse few could take her place. She will be much missed by her family, as she would often visit with them and spoke so many times of not wanting flowers when she had passed away, but rather that they be strewn on her path while living. She was formerly a member of the Methodist Church at Monticello, and after going to Grand Valley worshipped at the United Church of Canada.  She leaves to mourn her loss a family of five, three sons and two daughters, namely:—Frank and William, of Colbeck; Robert of Minburn, Alta., Mrs. M. Allen of Orangeville and Mrs. James Ritchie of Colbeck. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Robert Brown of Teeswater and one brother, James Brown of Toronto. Her funeral was largely attended by sorrowing friends and relatives, showing the esteem in which she was held. The service at the house was conducted by her pastor, Rev. M. Sellar, assisted by Rev. Mr. Pope of Monticello. The pallbearers were her grandsons, Ivan and Leonard Ritchie, and Wallace, Ross, Norris and Alex. Bruce. Interment took place in Grand Valley Union Cemetery. Grand Valley Star & Vidette, Jan. 19, 1939.