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David Brueck died on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at the age of 87.
David’s life began December 25, 1937, in Three Rivers, the son of the late LeRoy E. Brueck and Myrtle (Harding) Brueck. When in 2nd grade, the family moved to Denver, Colorado where his father was briefly stationed on military duty. The family then moved back to Centreville, where David would spend his growing up years. David was quite the athlete, playing Centreville High School football, basketball, baseball, and track, ultimately receiving 12 Varsity letters. He was voted All Southwestern in football (1955). While at Western Michigan University he played 4 years of football for the Broncos (1956-1960) and was a member of the Varsity Club. In 1997, he was inducted into the Centreville Athletic Hall of Fame.
On August 13, 1960, David was united in marriage with his forever love, Sandra K. Heckelbower. After meeting her at the old Windmill Restaurant, they became inseparable. They began their married life together getting their degrees at WMU where David played football and his saxophone in the ROTC Band.
In 1964, David and Sandra made their home in Three Rivers. As an educator and coach, David taught in the Burr Oak, Port Clinton (OH), Constantine, Three Rivers, and Sturgis school systems. David especially treasured his 22 years as the Sturgis High School Building Trades instructor and was loved and respected by his students; he taught them life skills as well as building skills. This was a great fit for him as he grew up in his father’s construction business working summers for L.E. Brueck Construction Company in Centreville. Upon his father’s passing and already retired from teaching, he ran the family business along with his brother, Craig Brueck.
David and Sandra fulfilled a lifelong dream to purchase a family summer cottage on Clear Lake in 1994 where they could watch their beloved sons Jeff and John, grandsons, family, and their friends enjoy the water and special fireside chats. If you knew Dave, he was a fair, wise advisor and storyteller with a deep, commanding baritone voice and always sparking laughter or learning with his “Dave-isms”. Any gathering of family and friends was his happiest of times, with yearly trips during the summer to the Mackinaw Bridge Walk, Torch Lake area for mushrooming, and rarely missing the St. Joseph County Grange Fair each fall. David was a lover of music, especially Big Band, which he always enjoyed listening to while traveling in his car. Sadly, Sandra was diagnosed with MS, and he was lovingly devoted to her comfort and care for 25+ years until her passing in 2016.
David cherished his family, students, employees, and community. He served his community as a Fabius Township Trustee for 22 years. He sat on various township boards with one of his proudest tasks serving as Fire Board President and being instrumental in the creation of the Fabius Park Fire Department.
David was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sandra, sister Karen and brother-in-law Charles Anable, and niece Debra (Jim) Gaugier. He leaves to cherish his loving memory, sons Jeffrey (Kathi) Brueck and John Brueck of Three Rivers, grandsons Evan (Emily) Brueck of Mishawaka, and Connor (Bridget) Brueck of Kalamazoo. Brother Craig (Sandy) Brueck, his nieces Linsey (Jerome) Wolff and Dianne (Scott) Wiederman, nephew Ryan (Samantha) Brueck, great and great-great nieces and nephews, and close friends. He will be lovingly missed but never forgotten.
A visitation for the family to receive friends will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Ray Funeral Services, 305 Rock River Avenue, Three Rivers, MI. In accordance with David’s wishes, cremation will take place, and a family memorial service is planned for summer 2025. Memorial donations in memory of David may be directed to the Fabius Park Fire Department.
