1948
Bruce
2013
Bruce Makela
August 10, 1948 — September 22, 2013
Bruce Makela died on September 22, 2013 from a stroke. Graveside services were held September 24, at the Roseburg VA Cemetery.
Bruce was born on Aug. 10, 1948, in Laurium, Michigan. He attended College at Central Michigan University. Bruce enlisted in the US Navy July 13, 1967 attending the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. His Radioman Career began in Vietnam on the USS Jerome County Tank Landing Ship, running supply boats on the smaller rivers. After his four-year tour was completed, Bruce moved to Prairie City, Oregon, working for DR Johnson Lumber, Mackintosh Hardware, and various ranches. Bruce met and married Candy Hammond from Prairie City.
He rejoined the Navy in 1974 serving as Radioman and in Teletype Operations. His Career took him to San Diego, Guam, Okinawa and Hawaii. His Final duty station was on Treasure Island, San Francisco where he received the rank of E-8 Senior Chief.
Bruce retired from the Navy May 31, 1991 and joined his family in Prairie City, OR. New interests and work included the local 911 dispatch office, Sherriff's Deputy, Pine Top Aviation, and Flight Instructor at the Grant County airport. His final position was the Grant County Veterans Service Officer, a position he said was one of the most meaningful in all of his working years.
Bruce married Marilyn (Wallace) in 2006. They moved to Roseburg OR in 2008 in order to be near the Roseburg VA Medical Center. They were involved in the St. Paul Lutheran Church and rode motorcycles with the "In Country Vietnam Veterans" Motorcycle club.
Bruce was preceded in death by his Parents, Step Mother and Brother-in-law.
Survivors include his wife Marilyn; former wife Candy; his daughter Barbie (Troy) Koenke; his son Ben (Mattie) Makela; Step sons Jonathan (Jamie) Wallace, Dave (Jen) Wallace, Tim (Colleen) Wallace; 2 grandchildren and 8 step grandchildren.
When God got ahold of his heart and life in about 2004, He became a changed man. He was good and kind and honorable. (A big teddy bear). He loved his family, and cared about people. He was loved and respected by many. He will be greatly missed.
Memorials may be offered to St. Paul Lutheran Church, or the In Country Vietnam Veteran's Motorcycle club.
Bruce was born on Aug. 10, 1948, in Laurium, Michigan. He attended College at Central Michigan University. Bruce enlisted in the US Navy July 13, 1967 attending the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. His Radioman Career began in Vietnam on the USS Jerome County Tank Landing Ship, running supply boats on the smaller rivers. After his four-year tour was completed, Bruce moved to Prairie City, Oregon, working for DR Johnson Lumber, Mackintosh Hardware, and various ranches. Bruce met and married Candy Hammond from Prairie City.
He rejoined the Navy in 1974 serving as Radioman and in Teletype Operations. His Career took him to San Diego, Guam, Okinawa and Hawaii. His Final duty station was on Treasure Island, San Francisco where he received the rank of E-8 Senior Chief.
Bruce retired from the Navy May 31, 1991 and joined his family in Prairie City, OR. New interests and work included the local 911 dispatch office, Sherriff's Deputy, Pine Top Aviation, and Flight Instructor at the Grant County airport. His final position was the Grant County Veterans Service Officer, a position he said was one of the most meaningful in all of his working years.
Bruce married Marilyn (Wallace) in 2006. They moved to Roseburg OR in 2008 in order to be near the Roseburg VA Medical Center. They were involved in the St. Paul Lutheran Church and rode motorcycles with the "In Country Vietnam Veterans" Motorcycle club.
Bruce was preceded in death by his Parents, Step Mother and Brother-in-law.
Survivors include his wife Marilyn; former wife Candy; his daughter Barbie (Troy) Koenke; his son Ben (Mattie) Makela; Step sons Jonathan (Jamie) Wallace, Dave (Jen) Wallace, Tim (Colleen) Wallace; 2 grandchildren and 8 step grandchildren.
When God got ahold of his heart and life in about 2004, He became a changed man. He was good and kind and honorable. (A big teddy bear). He loved his family, and cared about people. He was loved and respected by many. He will be greatly missed.
Memorials may be offered to St. Paul Lutheran Church, or the In Country Vietnam Veteran's Motorcycle club.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bruce Makela, please visit our flower store.
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