Dale J. "Whitey" Bruns, age 83, of Fort Recovery, OH, died on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater, OH of natural causes.

He was born November 24, 1936, in Fort Recovery to the late Bernard and Odelia (Garke) Bruns. On July 18, 1959, he married Marilyn (Kremer) Bruns, who survives in Fort Recovery.

Also surviving are their nine children, Connie (Joe) Muhlenkamp of Bryant, IN, Chuck (Helena) Bruns of Maumee, OH, Bill Bruns of Fort Recovery, OH, Mike (Lorraine) Bruns of Coldwater, OH, Lisa (Tom) Braun of Fort Recovery, OH, Joe (Denise) Bruns of Fort Recovery, OH, Becky (Brian) Kunkler of Portland, IN, Mark (Sara) Bruns of Fort Recovery, OH and Brenda (Doug) Kahlig of Fort Recovery, OH; 40 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary (Bud) Granger, Marlene (Jerry) Schmitz and Carol (John) Ranly all of Fort Recovery; in-laws, Lou Ann Kremer of Maria Stein, OH, Ernie (Marlene) Kremer of New Bremen, OH, Irene (Virgil) Dues of Coldwater, OH, Carl (Betty) Kremer of Celina, OH, Janice (Ken) Lamm of Fort Recovery and Dory (Dave) Westgerdes of Gulfport, MS.

Along with his parents, Dale was preceded in death by one great-grandchild, his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Mary Alice Bruns and in-law, Ken Kremer.

Dale was a 1955 graduate of Fort Recovery High School. He served in the Army National Guard. Now retired, Dale had farmed and worked as an auctioneer and real estate broker for many years. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, St. Peter, OH and the Knights of Columbus Council 3324 of Fort Recovery.

During high school, Dale was an outstanding baseball pitcher, helping to lead the baseball team to achieve the title of State Runner Up in 1953. He went on to play minor league baseball with the Detroit Tigers. In 2007 Dale was inducted into the Fort Recovery Athletic Hall of Fame. Dale especially enjoyed following his children's and grandchildren's sporting events.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at St. Peter Catholic Church, with Fr. Christian Cone-Lombarte celebrant. All CDC guidelines will be followed during the mass. Burial will follow at St. Peter Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the American Legion, Fort Recovery.

Calling is 4:00 pm-7:00 pm Monday and 9:00 am-9:45 am Tuesday at Brockman - Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery. Masks are required to be worn during the visitation and CDC guidelines will be followed. Your health during this COVID 19 period is important to us, so please do not feel obligated to attend the visitation. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Fort Recovery Athletic Association.

Condolences may be directed to www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com