Alvin ‘Jay’ Bruns | 77 | Jacksonville

Alvin “Jay” Bruns, 77, of Jacksonville, Illinois, died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at The Grove in Jacksonville. He was born Dec. 4, 1947, in Carrollton, the son of Alvin A. Bruns, Sr. and Ethel (Schroeder) Bruns. Alvin married Sandra Jo Cooley on April 12, 1975 and she preceded him in death on June 14, 2023.He is survived by his children, Joshua Bruns and Jennifer (Nathan) Williams, both of Jacksonville and Justin Bruns of Beardstown; grandchildren Jaeleigh Bruns, Evan Williams, Olivia Williams, Garrett Bruns, Wyatt Bruns, Adisyn Bruns, Rylee Bruns, Mateo Morrell, and Avalynn Morrell Bruns; siblings Jim (Barb) Bruns of Jacksonville, Mary (Kevin) Holderby of Carterville and Ed Bruns of White Hall. In-laws; Larry (Debbie) Cooley of St. Ann, MO, Connie (Wendell) Kurfman of Belleville, and Linda Newman of Quincy, several nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Sandy, and brother-in-law Mark Newman.
Alvin preferred to be called Jay, Junior or J.R., but once his first grandchild was born, his name was forevermore Grandpa.
Jay graduated from North Greene High School in White Hall and then attended SIU Carbondale before he was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in Vietnam. He was also stationed in Korea where he was a K9 handler with his trusted companion, Chips. After returning home, he attended MacMurray College.
Jay was a retired master carpenter, working for several homeowners and businesses over the years. He took great pride in building homes for families to live and grow in. He enjoyed gardening, especially planting tomatoes. He liked fishing, John Deere tractors, being outside, snack cakes and Pepsi. Jay especially had a soft spot for his grandchildren.
Cremation services were provided by Monarch Cremations in Florissant, MO in conjunction with Hutchens Funeral Homes. The family is also grateful to Jon, Megan and Casey at Buchanan & Cody in Jacksonville for their assistance. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Amvets at 210 E Court St. in Jacksonville on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025 from 2 to 6 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested to the family for help with funeral expenses. A fundraising event took place at Rosie’s Diner in Winchester on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 from 12 to 4 p.m.