R. Bruce Sellers

R Bruce Sellers, loving husband; father; grandfather; and great-grandfather, died at home on August 7, 2017. Born in Elkhart, IN in 1926, Bruce grew up on the family farm and graduated from Elkhart High School. He lettered in football, basketball, track, and baseball and was inducted into the Elkhart County, Indiana High School, Hall of Fame in 1996.

Bruce proudly served his country during WWII. He then attended WMU and lettered in football and baseball and earned a B.S. degree in education. More importantly, this is where he met his treasured, life-long love, Faith. He later earned a Master's degree from the U of M, and a Specialist degree, in Educational Leadership, from WMU.

After being a teacher, coach, and principal at Petersburg Schools, Bruce became the Superintendent of Schools in Edwardsburg, MI, at the age of 29. From 1958-1983 he was the Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, MI. He then became an Associate Superintendent, Business Manager, and later Superintendent for the Battle Creek Public Schools after Springfield Schools and Battle Creek Schools merged. He retired in 1989. He was inducted into the area Battle Creek/Springfield Schools, Hall of Fame in 2007.

Bruce was involved in many educational, service, and civic organizations; too many to list. He received numerous awards for his work. A few of his interests were golf and playing cards.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 69 years (Faith), children Debra Greenwold, David Sellers, Bob Sellers (Diana Tomlinson), Karen Reeves, and sister (Patricia Rezutko). He has 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His legacy of kindness, passion for sports, love of education, and zest for life will live on through them. He was an inspiration, and always had a smile on his face and a joke or song on his lips!

He was preceded in death by his parents (Alice and Wayne), brother (Donald) and granddaughter (Angela Reeves).

Visitation will be on Thursday, August 17th, from 5-7 p.m. at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 105 Capital Ave. N.E., Battle Creek, MI. where funeral services to celebrate Bruce's life will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 18. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.