Bruce M. Jennings

Bruce Milo Jennings age 58 of Bloomington passed away at his residence Sunday January 23, 2011. He was born March 9, 1952 in Bloomington to Melvin and Helen Hoff Jennings. Bruce graduated from Bloomington High School in 1970 and then attended Indiana University for 2 years, before being drafted. Bruce was a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army in the Saigon area, from 1973-75 and received an honorable discharge. After completing his time of service he obtained his degree at University of Washington. Starting in the early 1980s, “Mel Jennings and Sons” ice vending business was started by Bruce’s Dad, Melvin. Bruce took over the business after returning home from his military service in Vietnam. They delivered ice all over Bloomington; to local restaurants, grocery stores, and on campus including at Assembly Hall and at stadium for football games. From 1988-92 Bruce was employed by the Community Action Program, now known as South Central Community Action Program. Starting in 1992 he was the Program Manager - City of Bloomington at HAND- Housing and Neighborhood Development. Bruce worked as a program manager for HAND, whose mission includes affordable housing, neighborhood services, rehabilitating and repairing older homes for eligible home owners, and also making existing homes handicap accessible, allowing disabled clients to remain in their homes. As project manager for the City of Bloomington, one of his projects was HMOL (Home Modifications for Assisted Living. Bruce was the recipient of numerous awards. They include; 1991- Housing Service Award by City of Bloomington Community Council on Community Concern;1998—HUD Blue Ribbon Practices in Housing and Community Development for Decent Housing for the Accessible Living Program; 1998—The Housing Service Award by the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility; 2002—Lead-Safe Indiana Award by Improving Kids Environment for HAND’s comprehensive and aggressive manner of implementing lead poisoning prevention into its decision-making process; 2004—The Professional Service Award by the Bloomington Council on Community Accessibility; 2005—Lead-Safe Indiana Award by Improving Kids Environment recognizing the excellent work that Monroe County had done to reduce the risk of lead poisoning. Bruce was instrumental in this work and a member of the Monroe County Lead-Safe Coalition. Also, for years, Bruce was active in The Boy Scouts of America in Bloomington. For a time, he was an assistant scoutmaster. He achieved the honor of Eagle Scout and was also a member of The Order of the Arrow. Bruce was a talented artist and love all kinds of art. He especially enjoyed paintings, oil, pastels, and water colors. He knew a lot about paintings and the artists who created them. He was happy to share this knowledge with others. He shared this passion with Jackie, and they had many good times together in its pursuit. Bruce was hard working, generous, and fun loving man. He loved hosting parties and other get-togethers for friends and family. He is well loved and will be greatly missed by many. Bruce leaves behind his sister Melvann Richardson and her husband J.R. of Bloomington; brother Jack Jennings and his wife Julianne of Martinsville; nephew Jodie Richardson, his wife Loretta and their children Clint, Kurt and Blake; niece Marta Tichenor, her husband Jon and their children Bailey and Griffin; nephew Jay Richardson, his wife Christian and their child Zach Burton; nephew Jon Richardson and Lisa Orme and their children; niece Mandy Miles, husband Jesse and their children Hayden and Claire; nephew Justin Jennings. Bruce also leaves behind his beloved fiance Jackie Moore and her children, daughter Courtney Moore, her husband Josh Goodman and their children Nate and Katie, and Jackie’s son Jeremy Moore. Funeral Services for Bruce will be held Thursday January 27, 2011 at 11:00AM at the Allen Funeral Home 4155 South Old Highway 37. Visitation will be conduced at Allen Funeral Home on Wednesday January 26, 2011 from 3:00PM until 8:00PM. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorial contributions may be made to any one ot the following; Area 10 on Aging, 7500 West Reeves Road, Bloomington, IN 47404; Abilities Unlimited 2620 North Walnut St. Ste. 1205, Bloomington, IN 47404; Improving Kids’ Environment, 3951 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org

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Bruce M. Jennings

March 9, 1952 - January 23, 2011