Clarence Marvin Bruce, 84, passed away Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at his residence in Bartow of heart failure.

Born June 25, 1928, in Chauncey, Ga., Mr. Bruce has been a resident of Bartow for 77 years, moving from Georgia.

He was a Postal Clerk for the U.S. Postal Service for 29 years. He was a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant of World War II and Korea. He was a member and Deacon of the Bartow Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He served with the Bartow Police Auxiliary for more than 30 years. He was a Past Commander and Life member of the Bartow American Legion Post 3, serving with the Post Honor Guard, and helped fund the Bruce-Brogdon Legion Hall. He was a life member of the Masonic Tuscan Lodge #6 F&AM, Bartow. He was a Bartow Little League Baseball coach for many years.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Brogdon Bruce.

He is survived by two sons, Dennis Bruce (Sarah) of Bartow and Wayne C. Bruce (Lynn) of Miami; three daughters, Barbara J. Spann (Ron), and Kelly B Thurn (Jeffery) both of Lakeland and Cathy B. Gooding of Bartow; 13 grandchildren and 11 great grand children.

Family will receive friends Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, from 1-2 p.m. at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 E. Main St., Bartow.

Funeral services follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will follow at Bartow Wildwood Cemetery with military honors.

Memorials may be made to paws4you.org.

Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com.

Whidden-McLean Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.