Gerladine Oakley Pluff Bruns

1925 - 2016

Gerladine Oakley Pluff Bruns 1925—2016
Geraldine Oakley Pluff Bruns, died November 9, 2016. She was born Oct. 31, 1925; the daughter of Olive Lewis Oakley and Claude E. Oakley of Belvidere, where she lived all her life. Gerrie graduated from Belvidere High School, class of '45, and enjoyed being on the "famous" Class Reunion Committee. Gerrie married Geoffrey Pluff (deceased) on April 20, 1946. On August 9, 1981, Gerrie married Edgar F. Bruns Jr., at the Church By The Side Of The Road, in Rockton, where she was a charter member and served as Secretary to the Council for four years. Gerrie became a member of the First Congregational Community Church of Roscoe in Janunary 1993, and served as Deaconate during the years of 1994-1996, and in 1998-2003. On January 27, 2008, both she and her husband were confirmed as Deacons Emeritus. She was a member of the Afternoon Women's Circle and she, along with her husband, were on the Welcoming Committee for years. Gerrie was a member of Women of the Moose #1052, serving in chairs, Moose Heaven Chaplain, Senior Regent, Graduate Jr. Regent and Academy of Friendship. Gerrie was a retired honorary member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and worked at Dean Foods in Belvidere until she retired in 1988. Gerrie enjoyed jazz and was a member of Pine Tree of Rockford, Tuleburg of CA, Stumpton of Oregon, Night Bloomers of CA and New Reformation of MI. She was a member of the Farm Bureau and Big Thunder Grange where she served as Past Chaplin and Lecturer. She was also a past member of the Women's Bowling Association of Belvidere as well as a member of the Red Hat Country Cuties of Roscoe, IL. Gerrie is survived by her three sons, Gary (Kathryn) Pluff of Cross Plains, WI, Daniel (Sheri) Pluff of Elk Grove Village, IL, Tracy (Melissa) Pluff of Beloit, WI; stepson, Steven (Mark) Bruns-Recell of Nashville, TN; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Ian) Pluff-Powers of New York, NY, Alissa (Jason) Gram of North Bend, WA, Alyson Pluff of Elk Grove Village, IL, Eric (Jenna) Pluff of Volo, IL, Justin (Jen) Pluff of Arizona and Miranda Pluff of Rockford, IL; four great-grandchildren, Mataya Pluff of Rockford, IL, and Noah, Natalie and Nathaniel Gram of North Bend, WA; her much loved sister-in-law, Juanita Oakley of Rockford, IL; and a number of "dear to her" nieces and nephews. Gerrie was preceded in death by her husband, Ed in 2007; son, Rodney Pluff in 1973; four sisters, Laurel Schultz and Mildred Oakley in 1937, Mary Tegner of Loves Park, IL and Darlene Spooner of Loves Park, IL; and three brothers, Maynard Oakley of Belvidere, IL, Lamont Oakley of Rockford, IL and Claude Oakley of Winnebago, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, November 14, 2016, at First Congregational Community Church, 10780 3rd St., Roscoe, IL 61073, with Rev. Lisa Abb officiating. A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, November 13, at the church, with the Women of the Moose Ritual at 8 p.m. Burial in Highland Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Mission School of Hope Fund or the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC). All memorials may be sent to the First Congregational Community Church located at Box 66, Roscoe, IL 61073. Family would like to thank OSF Hospice nurses and staff for the wonderful care. To light a candle or share a condolence, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com.