Bruce M. Watermann, 72, fondly known to many as Deacon Bruce, peacefully passed on to his heavenly life on Monday, January 31, 2023 at his home. Bruce was born March 20, 1950 in Elgin, IL to Alfred and Lauretta (Dreyer) Watermann.

Bruce graduated from Elgin High School and entered the world of broadcasting as a DJ at several Fox Valley radio stations. It was at WKKD (Now 95.9 the River) that Bruce would meet the 'girl next door' - Jody Poss, who quickly became the love of his life. He would go on to marry her and live next door to the radio station for the rest of his life.

This past August they were blessed to celebrate 50 years of marriage. Although radio was his first passion, Bruce also enjoyed the culinary arts which would go on to become his primary career. He started at Pheasant Run in high school and eventually landed at St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin where he became the Director of Food Production. He later managed the food and nutrition program at Asbury Gardens in North Aurora.

Deacon Bruce was a life-long devout Roman Catholic and a longtime parishioner at St Therese Church. His devotion to ministry began over 40 years ago with the training of Altar Servers. Through the years he served as Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and found his true calling as a Catechist. He would go on to educate and prepare hundreds of students for the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation.

With encouragement from Sr. Pia of the Cross, he began his journey to become a deacon in 1995. He was ordained in 1999 and served at St. Therese until 2019 when he was reassigned to St. Joseph. He also served as the Sunday Mass deacon at St. Nicholas for over 10 years, delivering the homily at almost every Mass. Over the years Deacon Bruce became immensely involved in Spanish ministry in Aurora, often helping out at Sacred Heart, St. Mary and St. Peter as well as St. Nicholas whenever there was a need. A special ministry was teaching Liturgical English to priests coming to the Rockford Diocese from Columbia and Venezuela. It was well-known that Deacon Bruce's vocabulary did not include the word 'No'. Deacon Bruce had a great devotion to St. Francis of Assisi. In 2002 a dream came true when, along with Robert and Holly, they purchased an A-Frame and 14 acres in the quaint town of Necedah, WI, whose Catholic church coincidentally is named St. Francis of Assisi. For over 20 years they would relish the views of nature from their family room picture windows while enjoying the flames emanating from the wood-burning stove. As anyone who knew him was aware, he was a loyal Milwaukee Brewers and a diehard Green Bay Packers fan. He was well-versed in a multitude of topics including Old Time Radio shows, the name and history of every radio station and newspaper in every city in the country and had an encyclopedic knowledge about the churches in the City of Aurora and the Diocese of Rockford.

Deacon Bruce was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus, Chaplain for the Aurora Township Fire Department and a proud Associate of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart. He was the recipient of the God and Fellow Man award from the Aurora Kiwanis in 2014.

Survivors include his wife Jody (Poss), their only child Robert (Holly) Watermann, and his cherished grandchildren Abigail and Jackson Watermann. In addition, his sisters Darlene (Terry) Henk and Sally (Steve) Vaughn, along with four nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Lauretta, his in-laws Joseph and Marguerite (Steil) Poss along with several aunts, uncles, cousins and a niece.

Visitation will be Friday, February 3, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Aurora, IL where Deacon Bruce will lie in state from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Liturgical Wake Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023 beginning at 2:00 PM; Fr. Matthew McMorrow will officiate along with other esteemed clergy. Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Jody Watermann in order to establish a scholarship in Deacon Bruce's name for local Catholic Education.