Bernard W. "Bill" Bruns

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Bernard W. "Bill" Bruns, age 72, of Pinckneyville, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in Pinckneyville Health Care Center, Pinckneyville.

Bill was born on December 31, 1936 in Perry County, a son to John C. and Regina E. (Martin) Bruns. On May 30, 1963, he married Marcella E. "Sally" Hagene in St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, and she survives. Bill proudly served his country in the United States Army in Fairbanks, AK from 1960-1962. He was a member of St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, Farm Bureau and was a retired farmer. Bill enjoyed watching NASCAR and was a loving husband and father and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, two children: Dennis W. (Diane) Bruns and Cindy (Dr. John W.) Melvin, four grandchildren: Mallory Harriss, Danielle and Denise Bruns, and Brenden Blades, two step-grandchildren: Jason and Jennifer Melvin, one sister: Betty (Jeril) Smith, one brother: Edward (Sherilyn) Bruns and one sister-in-law: Betty Bruns.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Herman Bruns and Carl Bruns and one sister: Loretta Davin.

Funeral services will be held at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, on Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Bruno Cemetery, Pinckneyville.

Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, on Thursday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

Memorials may be made to St. Bruno Catholic Church or St. Bruno Catholic Cemetery.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.