Donald “Bruce” Loar of Blissfield, MI, went to be with the Lord on July 20, 2024 at the age of 92. Bruce was born on August 29, 1931, in Adrian, MI to Graydon and Maud (Welch) Loar.
Anyone who knew Bruce would describe him as a nice, easygoing guy with a dry sense of humor that kept everyone laughing. He cared deeply about his family, friends, and faith; and had been a loyal member of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Blissfield for 64 years.
Bruce graduated from Metamora High School in 1949 where he was a star basketball player and a “disputed” ping pong champion.
He entered the United States Army in 1952, stationed in Germany during the Korean war. While there, he joined the army’s basketball team and competed in several ping pong tournaments. He was fortunate to be sent to Germany along with 2 friends from back home. They have remained friends throughout the years and met every Thursday morning at Beckey’s Kountry Kitchen in Blissfield to talk about their army days. Dubbed the “Thursday Morning Crew”, their photo is proudly displayed on the back wall above the booth where they always sat.
In 1956, Bruce married Alma Esther Sliker and they had 51 years together and 3 children before her death in 2008. Bruce was employed at the Blissfield Post Office for 27 years where he rode a bike on the eastside town route for many years before he was given a postal truck.
Bruce enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, golfing, bowling and watching Tigers baseball and any other sports he could find on TV. In later years, he amassed an impressive small animal figurines collection which he displayed proudly at his home.
Along with his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Alton (Rachel) Loar and sisters, Evelyn (Earl) Tipton and Mary (Doug) Scribner. He is survived by his children, Linda (Adolio “Al”) Navarro, Cheryl (Daniel) Van Andel and Kenton (Laurie) Loar; nine grandchildren, Catherine (Nate Schull) Navarro, Juanita Navarro, Jennie (Dan) Koester, Joseph (Lindsay Rudolph) Navarro, Charity Loar, Jaron Loar, Karina (fiancé Austin McHaffie-Sharp) Loar, Jaydon Loar and Ryan Loar; one great-grandson, Michael “MJ” Killian; and brother, Wayne (Marion) Loar.
Bruce was a deeply beloved father, uncle, cousin, brother and friend. He died peacefully in his home of 64 years where he raised his family.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Blissfield. Burial will follow at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, OH.
Anyone who knew Bruce would describe him as a nice, easygoing guy with a dry sense of humor that kept everyone laughing. He cared deeply about his family, friends, and faith; and had been a loyal member of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Blissfield for 64 years.
Bruce graduated from Metamora High School in 1949 where he was a star basketball player and a “disputed” ping pong champion.
He entered the United States Army in 1952, stationed in Germany during the Korean war. While there, he joined the army’s basketball team and competed in several ping pong tournaments. He was fortunate to be sent to Germany along with 2 friends from back home. They have remained friends throughout the years and met every Thursday morning at Beckey’s Kountry Kitchen in Blissfield to talk about their army days. Dubbed the “Thursday Morning Crew”, their photo is proudly displayed on the back wall above the booth where they always sat.
In 1956, Bruce married Alma Esther Sliker and they had 51 years together and 3 children before her death in 2008. Bruce was employed at the Blissfield Post Office for 27 years where he rode a bike on the eastside town route for many years before he was given a postal truck.
Bruce enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, golfing, bowling and watching Tigers baseball and any other sports he could find on TV. In later years, he amassed an impressive small animal figurines collection which he displayed proudly at his home.
Along with his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Alton (Rachel) Loar and sisters, Evelyn (Earl) Tipton and Mary (Doug) Scribner. He is survived by his children, Linda (Adolio “Al”) Navarro, Cheryl (Daniel) Van Andel and Kenton (Laurie) Loar; nine grandchildren, Catherine (Nate Schull) Navarro, Juanita Navarro, Jennie (Dan) Koester, Joseph (Lindsay Rudolph) Navarro, Charity Loar, Jaron Loar, Karina (fiancé Austin McHaffie-Sharp) Loar, Jaydon Loar and Ryan Loar; one great-grandson, Michael “MJ” Killian; and brother, Wayne (Marion) Loar.
Bruce was a deeply beloved father, uncle, cousin, brother and friend. He died peacefully in his home of 64 years where he raised his family.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Blissfield. Burial will follow at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, OH.
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