Bruce Edward Howard, 67, of Jerseyville, died at 6:14 a.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at St. Louis University Hospital.
He was born on April 5, 1959, in Jerseyville, the son of the late Norman Eugene and Mary Elizabeth (Perdun) Howard.
He married the former Carol Ann Rogers on July 5, 1980, at First Baptist Church in Jerseyville, and together they shared 46 years of marriage and raised their family in Jerseyville.
Bruce was employed as a Leader at Alton Steel, where he built a career through hard work and dedication.
Outside of work, Bruce was happiest when he was spending time with the people he loved. He enjoyed fishing and was a talented woodworker and carpenter, always finding something to build, fix or work on with his hands. He loved firing up the barbecue for his family, watching NASCAR and playing ball with his beloved dog, Copper. Around the house, Bruce could often be found singing and dancing, bringing his own sense of fun and personality into the everyday moments of life. Above all, he treasured time with his family, especially the vacations they shared and the memories made together along the way.
Surviving are his wife, Carol Howard of Jerseyville; four children, Nathan (Allison) Howard of Alton, Jennifer (Craig) Fischer of Jerseyville, Christopher Howard of Jerseyville and Brendan (Christine Sawyer) Howard of Jerseyville; five grandchildren, Jayda Bodenbach, Madalyn Bodenbach, Draven Howard, Roman Howard and Edison Howard; two brothers, Michael Howard of Carrollton and Jeff (Kelly) Howard of Winchester; as well as a sister-in-law, D Howard of Jerseyville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Loren Howard; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jimmie and Betty Rogers; as well as his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Cynthia Rogers and Susan (Lonnie) Woolsey.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Friday, September 18, 2026, with Pastor Jarrod Six officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family, who plan to place a bench at the park in Bruce’s honor.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.