Bruce Applen

MORTON - Bruce Lane Applen, 85, of Morton passed away at 11:18 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born Nov. 3, 1926, in Cave City, Ark., to Lane and Linda (Baker) Applen. He married the love of his life, Loretta H. Tilley, on Feb. 3, 1951, in Harmony, Minn. She preceded him in death on Sept. 11, 2003.

He also was preceded in death by one sister, Ava Baker, and three brothers, Henry, Herald and Warren Applen.

Surviving are one sister, Ina Fay Guthrie of Strawberry, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.

He served with the United States Army Air Corps and was a private pilot. Bruce worked for Caterpillar Inc. for 32 years, retiring from the Parts Distribution Center in 1980. He was in management. He was a lifetime member of AMVETS Post 64 in Peoria, where he had served as the post commander, a 13th District commander and Third Division commander. He loved his Kentucky Fried Chicken and enjoyed many meals at the Morton restaurant.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Morton, where services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, with the Rev. Dr. Richard Shaw officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 900 E. Jefferson St., Morton, IL 61550.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnson.com.