Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1931
DIED
2018
FUNERAL HOME
Earle Bruce Obituary
1931 - 2018
Coach Earle D. Bruce, 87, of Columbus, passed away Friday, April 20, 2018 with his family by his side. He was born March 8, 1931 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Earl and Mildred (Schindehette) Bruce. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 56 years, Jean (French) Bruce, sisters Mary Lou Theis and Beverly Burkinshaw. Earle was loved by so many, and will be dearly missed by his loving daughters, Lynn Bruce, Michele (Pat) Cenci, Aimee Bell, and Noel (Fred) Poulton; nine grandchildren, Zachary Smith, Colin Smith, Carter (Megan) Smith, Kiley Smith, August Bell, Tanner Bell, Kayden Bell, Hudson Poulton, and Foster Poulton; great grandchildren, Cameron, Quinn, and Hayden Smith; brothers, Ronald (Cheryl) Bruce, Robert (Jewel) Bruce, and Barry (Jane) Bruce; sister-in-law, Nancy (John) Kissh; many nieces and nephews; special caregiver Jenny Whinham; and many good friends, former coaches, and players. Coach Bruce served as an accomplished high school football coach for 13 years in Salem, Sandusky, and Massillon. He then served as the head coach at the University of Tampa (1972), Iowa State University (1973–1978), The Ohio State University (1979–1987), the University of Northern Iowa (1988), and Colorado State University (1989–1992). At Ohio State, he succeeded Woody Hayes and won four Big Ten Conference titles. Bruce made an immediate mark on Ohio State football, leading the Buckeyes to the Big Ten championship and earning the 1979 Big Ten Coach of the Year award. He was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2002, the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004, and the Iowa State Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He was the national coach of the year as chosen by his peers at the American Football Coaches Association in 1979. In recognition of his service to the university and to the Ohio State University Marching Band, Bruce had the honor of dotting the "i" in 2016. He was a radio analyst at 610WTVN for more than 20 years. Although football was a huge part of his life, nothing meant more to him than his family. He and Jean traveled to all 50 states and internationally to Ireland, Scotland and cruised the Rhine River. A public celebration of Earle's life will be held at 10:30am Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at St. John Arena, 410 Woody Hayes Drive. The family will receive friends following the service on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 from 4-8 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High St., Columbus (Just south of I-270). Services and burial will also be held on Thursday at 10:30am at Prince of Peach Lutheran Church, 5475 Brand Road, for family, close friends, former players, and coaches. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Earle and Jean Bruce Alzheimer's Research Fund in Neurology, Fund #312531, Care of The Ohio State University Foundation, Attn. Gift Processing, 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43221; or Earle Bruce Endowed Scholarship at Iowa State University, https://iastate.site-ym.com/donations/donate.asp?id=14572. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Schoedinger.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Earle Bruce
Buckeye James
October 17, 2018
You made OSU proud. RIP Earle. O-H! I-O! 4-EVER!
Leslie Bell
April 30, 2018
We will miss you Earle. O-H-I-O!
ernest Shelby
April 27, 2018
Condolences to all. seek comfort in family and close friends. Let God continue to heal your pain.
Willard Sander
April 26, 2018
Take care Coach. May you and the "Old Man" kick it around up there.
CF
April 25, 2018
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Bruce family and friends at this difficult time.
Dwayne Bickham
April 25, 2018
In God's care, rest in peace.
Lori Root
April 25, 2018
Dear Lynn, Michele, Aimee, Noel and all of the grandchildren,
Please know you are in my heart today as you honor your father's amazing life. I was fortunate to be around your parents many, many times during my days at OSU. They always welcomed me into your home when Michele and I needed a break from campus life. (We often heard some very wise advice from your sweet Mom.)
As for your Dad, he had such a presence about him. He was truly a man of integrity. He represented what a Coach should be, a strong leader and positive mentor to the young coaches and players under his guidance.
Buckeye Nation has lost one of the best. May his memory be a blessing.
Much love,
Lori Long Root
Pam Taylor
April 24, 2018
Thanks for being a great coach and a great person to many people. I always enjoyed hearing you talk at OhioState Events. Keep memories in heart forever. RIP from Buckeye nation. Pam T
Larry Recob
April 24, 2018
Earle Bruce was a true Buckeye. RIP.
Linda Jackson
April 23, 2018
Linda Jackson
April 23, 2018
Marlaine & Jim Manus
April 23, 2018
Dearest Lynn,
Saddened to hear of the loss of your father. He was a good man, the likes of which are diminishing. Our condolences to you and the family.
P D
April 23, 2018
So very sorry for your loss, may the God of comfort continue to bring comfort to your families and friends.
April 23, 2018
My deepest condolences. May the God of all comfort give you strength and hope during this time of sorrow.
April 23, 2018
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your love one.
April 23, 2018
While words fail to capture the pain of losing a loved one, we look forward to the time when words will fail to capture the joy of having our heavenly Father return your dear one to you.
christian
April 23, 2018
My deepest condolences for your loss. May the God of all comfort prove to be your strength during this difficult time.
Psalm 18:2
April 23, 2018
Condolences to the family.
Harry Simpson
April 22, 2018
Godspeed Earle, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Diane
April 22, 2018
My sincere sympathy to the family Please be comforted knowing GOD"s kingdom will bring peace. We pray for it MATTHEW 6:10
Forever a winner. God bless you Coach!
John Dawson
April 22, 2018
I played for Coach Bruce as a freshman in 1987. Earle was a great man. Inspiring. Firm. Honest. Fair. As tough a Buckeye nut as they come. My heart has now been broken twice, the day I had to watch this great man be fired days before the Michigan game, and now knowing of his passing. His positive imprint will live on forever in Columbus and in my for the rest of my life. God bless you Earle. Now get up there with Woody and beat Bo at something again! Go Bucks!!!
The Jennings and The Valentine's
April 21, 2018
Rest Well..
Gene "Big Daddy" Richards
April 21, 2018
Im deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Bruce.Im so glad I got to know him as a friend and Coach.He came to see my bands play years ago and I also got to do some Alzheimer's events with him.He truly was a man among men.100% Buckeye.There are not enough good words in our languge to honor him.Rest In Peace Earle.God will get to see you "Dot The "I" in Heaven now !!
Mary Barrow McFarland
April 21, 2018
Not only a great coach, but a man of faith! Growing up in Ames, IA and attending Bethesda Luheran Church, I always spotted Coach Bruce at the 11am worship service.
Loyal and True to God!
Darlene
April 21, 2018
God Bless you Mr. Bruce--A job well done sir--A job well done
Robin
April 21, 2018
I send my deepest condolences to you. May God give you the strength and endurance to cope during this difficult time.
Joan Higgs Dechmerowski
April 21, 2018
Dear Bruce Family.. Our thoughts and prayers to the family. May he rest in peace. Your dad was my dads cousin. Your Mom was my grandmothers sister. Lizzie Higgs Howroyd. My dad was Harry married to Anna. There was also Bill, Tubby Lucky N David. My husband was impressed when your dad would coach games at Ohio State when we lived there an tell all that's my wife's uncle. lol. By the way I'm Joan Higgs Dechmerowski. Just wanted to say were praying for him. God bless all. Joan & Phil
Chuck Underwood
April 21, 2018
In the summer of 1979, the two most nervous and uptight citizens in the state of Ohio were the just-chosen head coach of Ohio State Buckeyes' football and the just-chosen play-by-play voice of the Buckeyes' statewide radio network. In a matter of weeks, both would attempt the impossible. They would replace larger-than-life legends: coach Woody Hayes; and, the all-time, one-and-only Voice Of The Buckeyes Marv Homan (and for a brief time, Ken Coleman). I didn't realize HOW stressed Earle was until we went to lunch one year later, just prior to his SECOND season, when I suddenly saw a confidence, peace, and certainty in his eyes and behavior that I hadn't seen during season # 1, when he had grabbed onto a rocketship and simply done his best to maintain his grip. But... he had DONE it. In his inaugural 1979 season when fans' expectations were historically low, Earle's unheralded roster had somehow blown through its first eleven opponents - and in electrifying style with the huge victories at UCLA and at Michigan. The Buckeyes had fall off the national map from the year before, but Earle promptly put them back at the top of it. The Southern Cal team that beat the Buckeyes by a single point in the Rose Bowl/national championship game - it would later be determined - had more than twenty players on its roster - including that year's Heisman Trophy winner - who should have been academically ineligible because of a correspondence course sham that would soon put USC on NCAA probation. The new play-by-play guy had the honor to witness this season, describe it to listeners each week, and interview Earle three times weekly for radio shows. Earle Bruce: explosive; charming; fierce; loyal; driven; ethical; took over a roster considered weak on talent and, almost before fans could comprehend the enormity of the achievement, went 11-0 and won the Big Ten. Barely before he and Jean had unpacked their bags in Columbus, Earle had delivered a stunning "WOW" season to a college football program whose well-bred fans have a deep understanding of "WOW". Thanks, Coach. It was an honor. Chuck
April 21, 2018
To the family and friends of Coach Bruce, my condolences, May God comfort you during this time of loss. May he give you the strength you need to endure.
Annette Ballis
April 20, 2018
Sorry for your loss of coach Bruce. He was a great coach and man. He will be sadly missed. RIP coach Bruce
Marty Costello 111
April 20, 2018
Coach Earle Bruce may you rest in Peace and im sure you and Woody are happy to see each other . I will always remember your last game When you whipped Michigan there in the minus nine degree frozen tundra in Ann Arbor, You were a Gentle man and a true Gentleman. The Buckeye Nation will remember you forever .
Larry Ryner
April 20, 2018
I met Coach Bruce when he was at Iowa State. He was a class act.
Juanita
April 20, 2018
Sincere condolences to the family for your great loss. May God comfort each of you.
kevin manahan
April 20, 2018
Rest in peace
Tom Phillips Sr
April 20, 2018
God Speed Coach Bruce. Thank you for all your work with the young people of our great country. You are the best!
Kim Shankle
April 20, 2018
Coach Bruce loved the buckeyes and also loved his Massillon Tigers, 20-0 with the Tigers nothing more needs said. Rip Earle and Go Tigers
Gary Blackney
April 20, 2018
A great coach and a great man. A genuine teddy bear beneath that stern facade. Coach Bruce hired me in 1984, and told me the only reason he hired me, was that he was taller than me. That was the charm and humor that those of us who new him, loved and respected. He always had time to ask me about my wife, and always with a tear in his eye. That was the compassion and empathy that Coach Bruce had. Well miss you Coach! My sincerest sympathy to his loving family.
Richard McHugh
April 20, 2018
A very good coach who was very much beloved. He learned from the best and taught some future great coaches.
V M
April 20, 2018
To the family,
Losing our loved ones breaks our heart. Broken hearts can heal through the comfort of God's word. I pray that you find comfort in the words found at Ps. 147:3, 5. May God be a constant source of comfort and strength to you.
A Caring Fan
April 20, 2018
May God grant solace during this most challenging time. My heartfelt condolences and sympathies for prayers the family and friends of Earle. With Love
April 20, 2018
My sincere condolence condolence to sorry to here about the passing of Earle may the days ahead gets better as you meditate on fond memories Job33:14
Herman Stayman
April 20, 2018
God rest you soul coach. My condolences to your family.
I'm a born,bred and loyal Buckeye transplanted to the great state of Wyoming.
April 20, 2018
May it comfort you to know that God as well as others care. Very sorry for your loss.
Sincerely
April 20, 2018
May the God of all comfort be with family and loved ones.
Showing 1 - 49 of 49 results
Make a Donation
in Earle Bruce's name
Memorial Events
for Earle Bruce
Apr
25
How to support Earle's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Earle Bruce's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
