Mary Jo Bruce, 88 of Aurora, IL, formerly Fairfield, IL passed away at 9:40 pm on November 18, 2025, at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva, IL.
Mary Jo was born on February 8, 1937, in Wayne City, IL, to William (Bill) Austin and Josephine Austin. She married Robert Bruce on December 25, 1953, and together, they owned and operated Bruce Hardwood Lumber, a sawmill and logging operation, from 1964 to 2004. Mary Jo was a longtime member of the First Christian Church before she moved to Aurora, IL to live with her daughter, Betsy, after Robert passed away.
Mary Jo was the strong center of her family, who she loved dearly. Her home was a place of warmth, which, of course, included having her beef and noodles, lemon meringue pie, coconut cream pie and her chocolate chip cookies.
Mary Jo is survived by her children Coy Bruce of Eastpointe, MI, Betsy Johnson of Aurora, IL and Becky Bruce of Sanford, FL; grandchildren Jesse Bruce, Ashley (Jeff) Vertucci and Kelsey (Joe) Zeman; her great grandchildren Olivia Nicole, Gia Marie, Rocky, Frank Robert, Bennett William, Isaiah, Noah and Alena.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her son, John, her parents, four brothers and one sister. She poured her heart into her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, each of whom adored her and carry a piece of her spirit within them.
Funeral services will be at 1pm on Wednesday, November 26th, at the Fairfield First Christian Church with burial to follow at Thomason Cemetery in Wayne City, IL. Visitation will be from 11am until the time of service at the church. The family has requested casual dress for those attending. Memorial donations can be made to the Fairfield First Christian Church and will be accepted at the time of the funeral service or at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be made to the family at www.facebook.com/johnsonvaughnfuneralhome.
