OBITUARY Charles Leroy Bruns, known to most as Pokey, of St. Clair, MO departed this life at his home, surrounded by the love of his family, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, having reached the age of eighty-seven years, one month and sixteen days. Pokey was born in Robertsville, MO on November 26, 1935, son of George Edward Bruns and Selma Marie Bruns nee Weber. On July 24, 1955 he was united in marriage to Jeanette Lois Flora and two children came to bless this union. Pokey is survived by his wife, Jeanette Bruns of St. Clair, MO; by his children, Diane McHenry and husband, Chuck, of Ironton, MO and Denny Bruns and significant other, Michelle Schaefer, of Sullivan, MO; by his grandchildren, Valerie Searcy, Vincent Duncil and wife, Samantha and Erica Buddemeyer and husband, Matt; by his great-grandchildren, Sofia and Quinton Searcy, Michael and Madison Duncil and Ava Buddemeyer; by brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. Pokey was preceded in death by his parents, George and Selma Bruns; by his brothers, Lester Bruns and Karl Ivan Bruns; and by his sister, Mary Laverne Fink. Pokey was a Christian of the Baptist faith and member of First Baptist Church in St. Clair, MO where he served as a church deacon for many years. He was active at the Franklin Baptist Association and their camp in Spring Bluff, MO. As a teenager he worked at Lewis Café in St. Clair as a dishwasher and then went on to work as a deck hand on the river barges on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Pokey was a proud member of Cement Masons Union Local 527 in St. Louis, MO for over sixty years and for most of that time worked for Ahal Contracting Company. He loved spending time outdoors, whether fishing, hunting, especially with his various breeds of dogs, hiking or canoeing. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and had even coached kids little league teams. What meant most to him was time spent with his family. The love they shared and many precious memories they created will forever be cherished by them all. A kind and loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, great and great-great-uncle, cousin and treasured friend, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at First Baptist Church in St. Clair, MO with Rev. Michael Kinion officiating. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Lonedell, MO. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church. The family was served by Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO.