Bruce I. Bettis, 72, of Sparta, died Thursday, July 24, 2008 at his home.  He was born on May 20, 1936 to Ralph and Irene (St. Aubin) Bettis in Vanderbilt, Michigan.  He grew up in Vanderbilt and graduated from Vanderbilt High School.

     He married Joan Oelfke in Boyne City, MI on January 6, 1955.  They lived in Vanderbilt and moved to Bangor in 1963, then Sparta in 1970.

     Bruce worked construction in Bangor and then drove semi truck when they moved to Sparta.  He retired in 2001. He enjoyed hunting and gardening.

     He is survived by his wife, Joan of Sparta; children, Vernon of Sparta, Bruce Jr. of Sparta, Jim (Cheryl) of Sparta, and Peggy (Mike) Favata of Portsmouth, RI; 6 grandchildren, Stacey Bettis of Eau Claire, Cody and Coltyn Bettis of Sparta, Brandi (Cole) Bever of Waukee, IA, Jessica Cochran of Lexington, VA, and Angela Arneson of  Portsmouth, RI;  1 great grandson, Mason Cochran of Lexington, VA; 2 sisters, Neva Gendron of Appleton, WI and Audrey Valot of Cheboygan, MI; son-in-law, Charles Arneson of Sparta; and grandson-in-law, Joel Cochran of Ft. Campbell, KY.

     Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter; a sister; and 6 brothers.

     Funeral services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta with Reverend Randy Larson officiating. Burial will be in the Melrose Cemetery, Melrose.

     Friends may call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Monday from 11 a.m. until time of services. 

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.