Bruce L. Hoeppner, 83, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 3:10 am, following an extended illness. He was born November 29, 1936 in Freeport, IL to the late Reverend Lawrence C. and Louise (Schmigee) Hoeppner. On December 13, 1958, he married Carolyn May Schuelke in Elkhart. She preceded him in death in 2016 after nearly 58 years together.

Surviving are his daughters Jennifer Hoeppner of Elkhart, who was Bruce's caregiver, and Susan (Jeff) Yarbrough of Watkinsville, GA; sons Scott (Kathy) Hoeppner of Sarasota, FL, Tim (Robin) Hoeppner of Elkhart and Jeff (Lori) Hoeppner of Goshen; his brother Al (Janell) Hoeppner of Ft. Wayne and his sister Joan Schutes of Jonesville, MI; 8 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and a host of extended family, friends, church family, fishing buddies and professional storytellers!

The Reverend Spencer Mielke and the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church, 30888 County Road 6, Elkhart, are honored to host Bruce's memorial life celebration on Saturday, November 28, at 11:00 am with visitation beginning at 10 am. Military Honors rendered by Elkhart DAV Post 19 and the US Army Funeral Honor Guard at the church immediately following the services. A private burial service will take place afterwards at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola.

Bruce graduated high school in 1956 and went straight into the Army for the next three years. Once home, Bruce settled down with his beautiful bride Carolyn to start a family. He was a machinist at Elkhart's Vincent-Bach Band Instruments for many, many years; but he will be best remembered for his rock-solid devotion to his faith and church. Not surprising for the son of a Lutheran Minister, as it was his faith in God and his desire to see his beloved Carolyn again that kept him on his spiritual course. It was noted that among the things he asked for during his final days at the hospice facility were his bible and devotional book, as they brought him the comfort that he so much appreciated. His Lord was very important to him.

He found peace and solstice in the tranquility of nature, and the relaxation that a fishing pole offered him was unsurpassed. His idea of a perfect get-away would lead him into Northern Michigan on a fishing and mushroom hunting expedition that would include family, friends, camping and simply spending time outdoors.

If he couldn't go fishing, his next favorite thing to do was visit Four Winds casino in New Buffalo to try to fund more fishing trips!

Memorial donations may be given in Bruce's memory to the Trinity Lutheran Church, Elkhart or the Center for Hospice Care. Thank you for your interest in Bruce's life story.