Judge Bruce C. Bade

Judge Bruce C. Bade, 82, a respected jurist and devoted family man, was born December 12, 1942, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He graduated from Butler University, where he played baseball, and later earned his law degree from Indiana University Indianapolis School of Law. While attending law school, he worked at Hanover Insurance, where he met his wife, Kathleen (Morley) Bade, and they married on November 16, 1968.
Bruce served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, earning the Bronze Star and two Oak Leaf Clusters. After returning home, he practiced law in Marion, Indiana, before being appointed Judge of the Blackford Circuit Court in 1975. He served on the bench for over thirty years, developing innovative programs to support local youth, and was later honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana's highest civilian award. After retiring in 2008, he continued serving the community acting as a public defender and practicing law alongside his son, Brian.
A lifelong supporter of youth athletics, Bruce co-announced local high school baseball as part of the "Voice of the Bruins," donating his announcer earnings to school athletic programs. He was also an enthusiastic fan of the Cincinnati Reds, Indianapolis Colts, Pacers, and Indiana University sports.
His greatest joy was his family. He never missed a game, performance, or milestone, and loved sharing his homes with their friends. He lived his life with integrity, loyalty, and concern for others.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; children Jennifer (Shawn) Green, Jeanine Bade, and Judge Brian (Amber) Bade; grandchildren Jerrid, Kelsi-Ann, Taylor, Brayden, Delaney, and Liam; a great-granddaughter Parker; brothers Stephen, Ronald (Beth), and Ned (Connie); brother-in-law Michael (Sharon) Morley; sisters-in-law Noreen Faulkenberg and MaryKay Morley; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Jean; his mother-in-law, Ida (Beck) Morley; and in-laws Patrick Morley, Donald Faulkenberg, and Jayne Bade.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Bruce's lifelong dedication to youth, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Boys & Girls Clubs of America at www.bgca.org or mailed to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, c/o Jeanine Bade, 1275 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm with a memorial service following at 4:00 pm, all held at the Blackford County Courthouse, please use the north entrance.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Glancy Funeral Homes.