Lyle Dean Bruns

TOWER HILL - Lyle Dean Bruns, 61, of Tower Hill went to be at eternal peace Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 11:09 a.m. at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL with his family at his side. Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana with Pastor Randy Miller officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Pana. A dinner will follow at the former Lyle Bruns Auction Center, Tower Hill. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Lyle was born March 14, 1945 in Pana to Ralph and Lena Mae (Dunaway) Bruns. His mother passed away when Lyle was the tender age of 7. He was later blessed with a step-mother, Lucille Butkauskas, whom, till death, Lyle called "Mom". Lyle married Marilyn Dixon July 28, 1965 in Pana. They later divorced. The past 41/2 years, Lyle's life had been blessed with one of God's angels here on earth, his companion, Millie Dagen. Lyle leaves behind one son, Roger Bruns and wife Janey, Pana and one daughter, Lisa Cantrell and special friend, Dave Walcher (known to Lyle as Wilbur), Tower Hill; 3 grandchildren, Amanda Cantrell and companion Derek Finley; Ryan Cantrell; and Kristen Cantrell, all of Tower Hill; 2 step grandchildren, Loressa Pease, Springfield and Lori Pease, Windsor; 1 great grandson and the sparkle of Lyle's eye, Colten Dale Finley, Tower Hill; 3 step great grandchildren, Austin Gruber, Pana; Dylan Blankenship, Pana; and Miranda Tarvin, Windsor; brother, Randy and wife Nancy Bruns, Pana; nephew, Adam Bruns, Chatham; step brothers, Frank Butkauskas, Vero Beach, FL and Joe Butkauskas, Pana; step sisters, Nancy Butkauskas, Murphysboro, IL and Kathy Dixon, Mesa, AZ; several step nieces and nephews; and Lyle had a special extended family "The Dagen's" of Herrick. He was preceded in death by his parents. Lyle was a member of the Pana Elk's Lodge and past member of the Tower Hill Lion's Club. Due to his service work, his honorary memberships to organization were many. Lyle, "Our Dad", started out 45 years ago as a self employed truck driver. He later started Bruns Bulldozing and then Lyle Bruns Land Improvement, Lymar Trailers, Rack Wagon Western Wear, Rack Wagon Cafe, Lyle Bruns Auction Service, and currently had a shoe repair business. Work was something our dad was not afraid of. He loved to work. His heavy equipment was also his favorite hobby. He took great pride in his work and strived to make all his employees enjoy the work as much as he did. He passed on to many the importance of hard work and perseverance. He was always looking for adventure. If there ever was anyone who could pick up race car driving again in their 50's, and give it all he had, it was dad. He never went half- way, it was all the way or nothing. Dad had a gift of gab. He never knew a stranger and always wanted to know all he could about everyone. Even during his illness, he would invite all the nursing staff to his room for, for as he put it "open discussions". Dad had a knack for convincing people they really did need that object on the rack wagon that no one else wanted. And it would never fail he would have 2 people convinced they needed it and, what do you know, a treasure was born. In all the years of hard work and long hours, Dad always found the time to help raise money for many, many benefits; whether it was someone suffering an illness, or maybe loss of their home, or an organization that needed aid in raising money, our Dad was there. He raised many thousands of dollars for others and never once would have wanted anything in return. The enjoyment he received trying to sell Annette's cakes or convincing others that that $10 gift card just may someday turn into $50, was satisfying enough for Dad. He always depended on brother Randy to help him prepare suitable jokes for those auctions, too, and poor Millie had to hear them over and over in Dad's effort to remember and put the right touch on that joke. Those jokes will be forever missed at the local auctions. One of Dad's favorite pastimes was watching the Illini basketball team and locally following the Pana Panther High School basketball team. He took great pride in watching his nephew, Adam sore as an athlete at Pana High. Many will miss his presence at those events. But God has taken Dad home to rest now, and I am sure that Dad has already started digging the foundation for our side of the mansion in the sky. So remember Dad with a smile, and for the work he did here on earth, and the next time you are at a benefit, give from your heart in his memory, and remember you probably would have paid more if he was here, so consider it a bargain! Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp