Bruce Crawford

Bruce Myron Crawford age 92 of Merna passed away on July 29, 2016 in Lincoln, NE after a brief illness. Bruce was born on his parent’s ranch north of Seneca, Nebraska on December 16, 1923. To attend school Bruce rode his horse to the little country school miles away. He spent his early years working on his parents ranch and enjoyed working with a team of horses and taking care of the cattle. Bruce joined the Army in 1941 as a paratrooper in the US Army and started in Northern Africa and then up through Italy. He was at the battle at Anzio, Italy, living in a fox hole for 77 days before being wounded and earning the Purple Heart. Bruce was also wounded at the Battle of the Bugle, and earned the Purple Heart cluster and a Bronze Star during his 4 years in the Army during WWII. In 1951 Bruce was called up for the Korean War Bruce met Macel Delinger at the age of 8 when Macel’s family moved from Mullen to Seneca, Nebraska. Bruce returned home from WWI in 1945 and on November 29, 1945 Bruce and Macel D. Delinger were married. They had two children – Irwin and Darlene and moved to Merna, Nebraska in 1954. Bruce drove a Mail Truck from Grand Island to Dunning for over 20 years and enjoyed talking to every postmaster on his route. Bruce loved working with horses, raising cattle and traveling. Bruce and Macel both loved to travel so after he retired they started traveling. They started with a small slide-in camper but worked their way up to a 5th wheel trailer that they enjoyed traveling for over 25 years. They traveled to Alaska twice and were able to visit 48 states. Survived by his Son and daughter-in-law, Irwin and Marilyn (Springer) Crawford of Beaver Crossing Daughter, Darlene Esser of Lincoln Grandson: Todd Crawford of Grand Island and Granddaughter Abby and Matt Foreman of Bennington, Nebraska. Nephew and their wives: Mike and Carla Crawford Les and Madeline Crawford David and Dessa Crawford Preceded in death by his wife of 70 years: Macel D. Crawford his parent: Harry Sr. (Hank) and Blanche (Ricker) Crawford Brothers and sister-in-laws: Harry Jr. and Grace Crawford Milton and Muriel Crawford Son-In-Law; Jim Esser Granddaughter: Stacey Crawford Funeral services will be held on Wednesday August 3, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow with Pastor Bill Williams officiating. Burial will be at 3:00 PM central time at the Seneca Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Merna Fire Department or Seneca Cemetery Association. Visitation will be held on Tuesday 8 AM to 8 PM with the family greeting friends 6 PM to 8 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow.