Bruce T.  Carle

Carle, Bruce T. CARLE:  Bruce T. Carle, aged 78, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2011.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Helen Carle and his brother, Douglas.  Surviving are his loving wife, Dorothy; children, Michael and Catherine Carle, Margo Carle, Ralph and Jill Carle; grandchildren, Tiffany, Alexander, Anthony and Isabella; sister-in-law, Joyce Carle; many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.  Bruce graduated from Central High School in 1951 and attended Grand Rapids Community College.  He was honorably discharged from the US Air Force, serving his country for 4 years. He worked for Western Electric (now Lucent Technologies) for almost 40 years.  After he retired from Lucent, he worked for Holy Redeemer Catholic Church for over 10 years.  Bruce and Dorothy were married, August 8, 1959 at St. Joseph Church in Hancock, MI.  Bruce converted to Catholicism and became very involved in many church organizations including the Knights of Columbus, serving as past Faithful Navigator and faithfully participated in the 4th Degree Color Guard.  He marched in the Memorial Day Parade in Jenison every year and several parades in the Grand Rapids area as well.  He served as a lay distributor, worked on the blood drives, the MI Drives, the Lenten Fish Frys and various other organizations.  He enjoyed making wood projects for church and family.  He helped construct “The Age of Discovery” playground at Hagar Park, which he inspected every year from April to October, until he was forced to give it up due to ill health.  In 1998, he made the 16 foot Christmas wreath for the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids and for Holy Redeemer Church.  Bruce and Dorothy enjoyed hiking through the woods and snow every spring to search out waterfalls.  They also liked to walk along Lake Superior looking for agates.  They enjoyed playing cards, dominoes and board games.  In years past, they enjoyed square dancing, touring old Catholic churches, going to botanical gardens, attending plays and concerts.  They never missed a year going to the spring Parade of Homes.  Bruce will be greatly missed by his wife, children and grandchildren.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2700 Baldwin, Jenison, with Fr. Ron Hutchinson Celebrant.  Relatives and friends may meet the family 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville), 4145 Chicago Drive and from 10-11 a.m. Thursday prior to the service at the church. A prayer vigil will be held 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans or Spectrum Health Hospice.