Gene “Bruce” Mesplay

Gene “Bruce” Mesplay

Marion

Bruce Mesplay, 66, of Marion, IA, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, four days before his 67th birthday.

According to Bruce’s wishes, he has been cremated, and a private service will be held at a later time.

Survivors include his mom, Emma Jo Mesplay of Cedar Rapids, sister, Myra (Curtis) Hall of Cedar Rapids; niece, Beckie Dickerson of Plymouth, MN; nephews, Calvin and Nathan Hall, both of Marion, and Uncle Jack Mesplay, Owensboro, KY.

Bruce was preceded in death by his dad and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Bruce was born December 17, 1957, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Gene and Emma Jo (Herman) Mesplay. When the family moved to Cedar Rapids from Owensboro, KY, Bruce attended grades 5-8 at St. Pius X School. He graduated from Regis High School in 1977. Bruce wanted to be a truck driver his whole life, and he

proudly worked as a semi driver, until he was forced to end his career due to a debilitating stroke that occurred in 2009 when he was living and working in DeWitt, IA. Bruce had a keen wit and an incredible memory! He was always ready with a joke or story and expressed interest in those he cared about.

Bruce’s family wishes to express deep gratitude to the countless individuals who have guided and supported them. To the Silver Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation Center staff, thank you for taking such good care of Bruce this past year. You cannot know how much it meant to us knowing that he was cared for and loved. To Mercy Hospice, thank you for helping us with end-of-life realities. To Garnett Place, we appreciate Bruce’s many years of “independent” and supported living. Finally, to the myriad staff members at Mercy Medical Center who always gave kind, respectful, and caring support to Bruce with the “Mercy Touch” that we were always blessed to receive over the years.

We appreciate the prayers that have been and will continue to be offered up for Bruce, and we feel comforted that he is now at peace with his kitty, WT, his friend, Tom, and family and friends who died before him.

Memorials may be given in Bruce’s memory to Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.