R. Bruce Johns

R. Bruce Johns, 75, of La Salle passed away at Pleasant View Lutheran Home in Ottawa on April 9, 2021.

Funeral services will be 7:00 PM Friday at the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle with Pastor Betty Delgado officiating. Burial will be private in Forest Lawn Memorial Park with full military services conducted by the La Salle/Oglesby Veterans Memorial Group. Visitation will be in the funeral home Friday from 5:00 PM until time of services. The funeral service will be live streamed via the Hurst Funeral Home Facebook page.

Bruce was born in La Salle on November 19, 1945 to Robert A. and Audrey (Olsen) Johns. He married Jacqueline Kallner on September 14, 1968 and she passed away in 2014. He then married Penny Kukec on January 3, 2015; she passed away on September 29, 2020.

Fresh out of college Bruce started his journalist career with the News Tribune. Shortly after the passing of his father, he became the business owner of Bob Johns Photography. Many local families still treasure their family, wedding, and senior high school photos by Bruce. Much of his work is still on display in homes across the Illinois Valley as well as the many team photos hanging in the cafeteria at LP High School. He would later team up with other photographers in downtown Chicago where he photographed many familiar Chicago faces and athletes.  Bruce was also given the chance to pursue one of his many passions hosting a Wednesday night Jazz and Blues show on WIVQ always closing his show with his favorite song "Misty". His love and knowledge of music would also find him filling in at times on Sunday mornings for the Big Band show. Bruce would return to the Illinois Valley once again in 2011 to retire and spend more time with his family and grandchildren. 

Bruce was drafted into the military in May of 1966 where he was stationed in Germany as a Chaplin's Assistant. 

Bruce was a lifelong member of Trinity United Church of Christ.

For more than 50 years Bruce became a lifelong award-winning member of the Association of Professional Photographers as well as being a board member of the Northern Illinois Professional Photographers. He will also be remembered for the three decades where he was the chairman of the local branch of the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. This televised event helped raise thousands of dollars every year for children to receive new wheelchairs, doctor visits as well as summer camp. This was a community effort that always brought him the most joy. Bruce never stopped volunteering up to his last days. You would still find him taking pictures at the Association of Horizon Summer camp for adults with Muscular Dystrophy and Cerebral Palsy. Bruce also coached many of La Salle’s Youth Minor and Little League teams throughout the years. 

He will especially be missed by his grandchildren as he enjoyed attending their athletic games, theater, and band performances.

Bruce is survived by his children Robert C. (Erinn) Johns of La Salle, Heather Somerville, Eric Johns of La Salle; six grandchildren Ella and Lainey Johns, Matthew and Jacob Somerville, and Chance and Payton Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Jacqueline and Penny, and his Uncle Mort Olsen.

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