Bruce L. Blue

Bruce L. Blue

November 26, 1962 -March 29, 2020

Bruce L. Blue, 57 of Hamler, Ohio passed away Sunday evening, March 29, 2020, in the comfort of his home as he ended his short, but courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and children as his favorite scripture was read, classic country music was played, and a perfect sunset peaked through the window at him over the trucking company in the distance.

He was born November 26, 1962 in Napoleon, Ohio to Robert and Louisa (Wiemken) Blue.  On March 10, 1984 he married his high school sweetheart, Karren Haas, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Hamler and they recently celebrated their 36th Wedding Anniversary.

Bruce was the class president and 1981 graduate of Patrick Henry High School.  He was very active in the FFA, was chapter president and in recent years he and Karren received the honorary chapter award.  Bruce was also a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Hamler.  After school, Bruce went to work for his family and became the 3rd generation of Robert Blue Trucking as the Vice President.  He spent countless hours managing daily operations of the trucking business alongside his family.  Whether he was managing freight, talking on the phone, brokering loads, or driving himself, Bruce loved the trucking industry.

Over the years, he always enjoyed traveling in his RV with his family, fishing, listening to country music and singing karaoke whenever he could get the chance. Many vacations were spent in the RV where Bruce and Karren taught their children history lessons. His family was the center of his life, especially his grandchildren, whom he was so proud of. He worked hard to provide for them and he looked forward to his time with them. They will remember him for his contagious smile, famous one liners, riding in the truck, community support, and his unending selflessness. Bruce always put others before himself whether his kids, family, friends, or a stranger.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Karren; his parents, Robert & Louisa Blue; 6 cherished children, Makalie (Mike) Jorgensen of Hamler, Denton (Mackenzie) Blue of Holgate, Ashton (Nathan) Kessler of Liberty Center, Marissa (Aaron “Barney”) Lafontaine of New Riegel, Karigan Blue and Kalyn Blue of Hamler; 8 spoiled grandchildren, Aliza, Natalee, Jett, and Cord Kessler, Hazel and Gavin Lafontaine, Kennedy and Carolyn Blue; 2 loving sisters, Brenda Conkright and Bethany (Rick) Gable; his appreciated mother-in-law, Ardyth Haas; brothers-in-law Darren Haas of Hamler and Gary (Lisa) Haas of Colorado; many loving nieces and nephews, and a slew of pampered dogs, Zada-Jane, Annie, Zoey, and Winnie.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, James “Hunker” Haas; and brother-in-law David Conkright.

Bruce's services will be live-streamed at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at www.ilcdeshler.org.  A funeral procession will start at 2:00 p.m. from Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler and procees through Main Street of Deshler, by Bruce's Home, by Robert Blue Trucking and through Hamler before concluding at Grelton Cemetery.  The family welcomes you to watch as they drive by or join in the procession until it concludes at the cemetery.

A further celebration of Bruce's life will be planned and announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers and keepsakes the family would appreciate memories and photos shared on the Blue Strong Facebook Page or at bluestrong1962@gmail.com. The family suggests memorials be given to the family to be distributed to non-profit organizations and charities that Bruce loved to support and for a scholarship fund to be started in his memory.  They can be mailed to the funeral home at P.O. Box 196, Deshler, Ohio 43516.

You are encouraged to share messages and view his tribute video on www.feehanrodenbergerfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bruce L. Blue, please visit our floral store.