Bruce Allen Stauffer

Bruce Allen Stauffer passed away at 2:52 AM on September 20th at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN after a short illness. He was surrounded by his family during his last moments.

Bruce was born on May 10, 1942 at Parkview Hospital in Plymouth, IN to Charles Stauffer Jr. and Edna Stauffer Elliott. He grew up in Inwood, and as a teen, worked for the Rohig family farm. Bruce was a 1960 graduate of Plymouth High School. He had fond memories of spending time at his paternal grandparents’ farm on 14th Road in Argos where he and his brother Rich would explore and play in the woods at the back of the farm. Although he went to Plymouth High School, he liked to spend time cruising Argos in his turquoise and white 55’ Oldsmobile. It was on one of those rounds he saw future wife Jean for the first time and stopped to ask her out on a date. That was the beginning of a life long relationship. They married in 1964, raised 2 children, built 2 houses, spent many winters in Arizona, and welcomed 3 grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Bruce was an enterprising man who saw opportunity in all aspects of life. He graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 1964 with a degree in Business Administration. He started his career at Vanadco Signs in Argos later that year and served as President from 1984 until his retirement in 2000. He loved to study the stock market, developed Colonial Court mobile home park with Curly Stevens and spent many days with his grandson Riley in the Vanadco scrapyard dismantling retired signs.

Never one to sit at home, he thrived on planning adventures with family and friends. He traveled to all 50 states, Europe, and much of Canada. He went on camping trips to Walt Disney World, hiked the Grand Canyon, planned many guys trips to the southwest for golfing and gambling and had the nerve to drive on the wrong side of the road in England. He also enjoyed returning to Bloomington to cheer on the Hoosiers football team with his family.

Bruce took great pride in hard work, and respected those who did the same. He was happiest on his backhoe, which he purchased upon his retirement. Jean didn’t agree with this purchase, so to prove its worth, he looked for any excuse to hop on it and move dirt, rocks or dig a ditch.

Bruce spent much of his retirement completing projects. Whether it was constructing a tree house, restoring a vehicle, or building a home, there was no project he couldn't tackle with his work ethic and ingenuity.

Bruce’s wisdom, sense of humor, generosity, and unwavering love and pride for his family will never be forgotten. He is already deeply missed by many. We know he would have liked to call his many friends to share a last beer and some belly laughs about old times.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 61 years Jean (Van Der Weele) Stauffer, son Jay Stauffer, daughter Jana (Sung) Hwang, grandchildren Riley (Kelsi) Stauffer, Abby Stauffer, Levi Hwang great-grandchild Amelia Stauffer, and his brother Rich Stauffer. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday October 4 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Argos at 11AM.