Bruce Burrill Schreffler

Bruce Burrill Schreffler, age 82, passed away April 12, 2026, in the arms of his wife and children following an extended illness. Leaving behind his legacy of faith in his Savior Jesus Christ, family service and care for others, and love for music.

Bruce was born June 17, 1943, in Kankakee Illinois to Marion Lucille Burrill and John Schreffler and grew into a significant role as leader and owner in the family business, Phillips Friday and Schreffler Funeral Home, later to be known as the Schreffler Funeral Homes. Learning at his father’s side at the tender age of 16 and completing his education and licensing as Funeral Director and Embalmer by attending Kankakee High School, Olivet Nazarene University and graduating Worsham School of Mortuary Science as his father John did in the 1930’s and later his children, Amy and Sean. He joined the firm as Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1973. Bruce grew up in a family of faith attending Asbury United Methodist Church in Kankakee, College Church of the Nazarene in Bourbonnais and was a current member of Summerville Methodist Church, Summerville South Carolina. Having a love for music he grew into a beautiful tenor voice through participation in the many church choirs, performances and music education. Bruce credits Kenneth Bade, music director and choir master at Asbury for his love for the organ. At the age of 16, Kenneth Bade asked him if he had interest in learning the pipe organ which led Bruce into assisting with the building of the current organ and a lifetime of love for instrument.

Bruce married Susan Olivia Hall in Council Bluffs, Iowa April 13, 1968, and together they had 2 children. He was a brother, husband, father, grandfather, musician, and business owner. He leaves a legacy of love and commitment to his family and community in which he lived. Bruce and his wife Susan worked tirelessly to build the Schreffler Funeral Homes into a Pursuit of Excellence Funeral Home receiving the Award Designation by National Funeral Directors Association. The family cared and supported the families they served at the funeral homes for 3 generations with his children, Amy Schreffler- Fenton and Sean Schreffler returning as licensed Funeral Directors and Embalmers. He retired from owning and operating the funeral homes from 1973 through 2015 when he sold to the Clancy Gernon Funeral Homes.