Bruce Gonigam

Nelson Bruce Gonigam, of Walnut, Illinois, died  April 19, 2024 at the age of 67.

Bruce was born to Glenn and Marilyn (Nelson) Gonigam in Princeton on January 13, 1957. He married Jill Payne on May 10, 1980, whom he loved and cherished for the last 47-years. Starting at age 16, Bruce was employed at Walnut Sand and Gravel/TCI where he worked with heavy equipment. His work week ended on Friday, but it wasn’t uncommon to see Bruce back at the gravel pit over the weekend with a truck full of grandkids, who affectionately called him Grandpa Kiddo. There, he introduced them to his love of trucks and equipment. Bruce was a member of the American Truck Historical Society and the Knights of Columbus. Bruce was an active member at St. John’s Catholic Church in Walnut. He had a strong faith and lived life with the mindset “God first, others second, me third.” A special place for Bruce since childhood was Green Lake, Wisconsin. This place embodied everything he loved about family and life. When young, he learned to cherish lake time and eventually even honeymooned with Jill there. As a father, uncle, and grandfather he passed on his love for this special place. He treasured moments and memories on the lake driving his boat and acting as an unofficial lake tour guide.

 Survivors include his wife Jill; daughters Carly (Michael) O’Connell of LaGrange, Courtney (Kurt) Johns of Western Springs, and Ashlee (Michael) Swider of Riverside; grandchildren Hayden, Lucas, Connor, and Halle Johns; Jack, Shane, and Kaitlyn O’Connell; and Laine Swider. Siblings include Ann Rabe of Fairfax, IA and Craig (Lesley) Gonigam of Tiskilwa; additionally, sister-in-law Carla Gonigam and step-siblings Robin (Doug) Noble, Rebecca Woody, John (Mary) Gerdes and Matt (Jennifer) Gerdes, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Bernice Hoefer; brother Timothy Gonigam; brothers-in-law Kevin Rabe, Jeff Payne, and Jay Payne; sister-in-law Jan Monier; and mother-in-law Betty Payne.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 Thursday at St John Catholic Church with Monsignor James Kruse officiating. Rosary will be recited at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Walnut Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with UW Carbone Cancer Research, ALS TDI, and The Epilepsy Foundation.

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