Mr. Gary James “Bru” Bruington, 79, of Galesburg passed away after a long courageous battle with cancer at 5:25 pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at his home.
Bru was born April 10, 1943, in Galesburg the son of James Arnold and Carolyn Pauline (Anderson) Bruington. He married the love of his life Alice Rosalee Marten on December 22, 1967, in Peoria. After 42 years of loving and caring for her through her battle with multiple sclerosis, she passed in 2009.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Bret (Joni Clay) Bruington and Angie (Marty) Powers both of Galesburg; his beloved dog, Church; his nieces, Kelli (Brad) Bosch of Ankeny, Iowa and Mindy (Brian) McDonald of Carmel, Indiana; nephew, Bryon (Amy) Bruington of Carmel, friends and colleagues. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother, Ted Bruington and sister-in-law, Barbara Bruington.
Bru graduated Galesburg High School in 1961 and later from Bradley University with a bachelor’s degree in education. He began teaching in Washington, Illinois from 1965-1972. He went on to teach PE and Outdoor living classes for Galesburg District #205 for over 35 years, retiring in 1995. Outside of teaching, Bru was a coach at heart, coaching basketball, football, and baseball. He was the head coach when the Galesburg High School Baseball team won the championship in 1988. Bru also served as an assistant basketball coach with Coach John Thiel.
Bru was a true sportsman’s, enjoying fishing, hunting, and gaming. He loved all Chicago teams, the Cubs, the Bulls, and the Bears. Bru had a love for stockcar racing and owned his very own stockcar, that Donovan Lodge races for him.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 am Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Pastor Jeremie Kilgore will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 am Saturday at the chapel. Burial will be in Mosher Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or Galesburg Baseball Programs, c/o Galesburg Community Foundation. Those unable to attend will be able to live-stream his services via our website, www.h-p-w.com under Gary Bruington obituary or our Facebook page. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
