Carl M. Bruce, 89, of Sullivan, died Thursday, October 21, 2010 at his residence. He was born on July 6, 1921 in South Amherst, son of the late Carl Frederick and Adah Mae (Harris) Bruce. He moved to Ruggles in 1931 to live with George and Edith Harwood. Carl lived in the Ruggles and Nova areas most of his life on the family farm he grew up on. Carl graduated from Ruggles High School in 1941 and served in the United States Navy during WWII. Carl was a machinist at FE Myers in Ashland for 42 years and farmed most of his life. He had a great love for farming and raising livestock. Carl was a member of the Ruggles Church. He served on the Mapleton School Board for sixteen years, including president. He was involved in the Mapleton Boosters Club for years and was involved with constructing the original football stadium. He was always proud of those that assisted in getting the school started. Carl was an avid sports fan and frequently said, 'Once a Mountie always a Mountie!' He coached a Nova youth league girls' softball team, a women's softball team, and played basketball and softball himself. He had a great sense of humor and loved to joke and have fun with those around him. Carl was greatly respected within the community. Carl is survived by his wife of 34 years, Ellen (Thorpe) Bruce; children, Bonnie (Bob) Hagner of Nankin, Donna (Charles) Fryman of Ashland, Carla (Denny) Bates of Ashland, Sue (Jim) Ellison of Ashland and Elaine (Jim) Stuart of Nova; 8 grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 10 step great grandchildren. Carl was preceded in death by his first wife, Elinor C. (Ringler) Bruce in 1975; an infant daughter, Connie; stepdaughter, Barbara Bryant; stepson, Harry Thorpe; 5 brothers and 2 sisters. Friends and family will be received from 2-6 p.m., Sunday, October 24th at Eastman Funeral Home, 200 West Main Street, New London where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday with Pastor Martin Daly. Burial will follow at Savannah Cemetery. Donations in memory of Carl may be directed to the Ruggles Church, 1364 US Highway 224, New London, Ohio, 44851 or the Mapleton Athletic Boosters, 1 Mountie Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805.