Bruce Ward Babcock
October 14, 1915 — February 24, 2013
ROMEOVILLE - Bruce Ward Babcock, age 97, of Romeoville, formerly of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, February 24, 2013, at Senior Star in Romeoville.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 1, at St. Columba Church with Reverend David M. Kipfer celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet, Illinois and also from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday morning at Gladfelter Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Bruce was born October 14, 1915 in Roberts, Illinois, a son of Henry Ward and Hazel (Stephens) Babcock. He married Mary Virginia Neeson on October 19, 1940 in St. Peter’s Church in St. Charles, Missouri. He is survived by a son, Michael (Virginia) Babcock of Manhattan, KS; two daughters, Donna (Greg) Tuftie of Oak Forest, IL and Judy (Roger) Damyen of Joliet, IL; three grandchildren, John (Linda) Babcock, Karen Babcock and Amanda Tuftie; and three great grandchildren, Jason, Marcella, and Eric Babcock. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; three sons, Ray and twins Mark and Paul; and a sister, Betty Fuller.
Bruce started his career as a certified dental technician at Barnard Dental Lab in Bloomington. He managed dental labs in Springfield and Peoria and was a partner in a dental lab in Bloomington. He and his family moved to Ottawa in 1951 and he started working for the Ottawa Dental Lab. He retired July 1, 1983. Bruce was a member of St. Columba Church. He loved playing golf and was an avid Bridge player. Bruce cherished his family who were of the utmost importance to him. One of his primary goals in life was to provide a college education for each of his children of which he succeeded. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff of Angel’s Grace Hospice and express their heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of Senior Star for the loving care given to Bruce. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimers Association, 850 Essington Road, Suite 200, Joliet IL 60435.