Family Log-In

Click Here

Bruce E. Markway, age 61, of Jefferson City, Missouri, departed this life on Monday, October 10th, 2016. An avid Cardinals baseball fan, the inability of his team to make the playoffs this year coupled with the limited choices he was given in the upcoming presidential election were apparently more than Bruce could face as his earthly body finally succumbed to the cancer he had been battling for the last few months.

Bruce was born on September 18, 1955, in Jefferson City, Missouri. the fifth of seven children born to the union of Francis and Delores (Renkemeyer) Markway. Bruce grew up with his six siblings on Cityview Drive in a house built by his father. Bruce went on to attend Helias High School, graduating in 1973.

A lifelong resident of the Jefferson City area, Bruce had the opportunity to have many different jobs; however, his defining occupation was that of car salesman. Many of Bruce's customers wouldn't even give a thought to purchasing a vehicle from anyone else. Bruce started his car sales career at Capital City Lincoln-Mercury and was there for more than two decades. When he left to pursue other options, some of his customers followed him. His customers were like family to him, and he was like family to them.

When Bruce wasn't selling cars, one might find him at a Cardinals baseball game or watching a Mizzou football game or maybe just sitting in his recliner, enjoying a honey bun and a cup of coffee in his horrendous red flannel nightgown which made him look like a character from a Charles Dickens novel. Earlier in his life, he had a passion for woodworking, much like his father and eldest brother. Many of his projects were given away as gifts and are treasured by friends and family still today. Bruce was instrumental in providing backstage support to a band his friends played in as teenagers. Bruce himself never played in this band, though it is rumored that as a young child, during breakfast in the Markway household, he could totally rock an oatmeal box drum while one of his younger brothers shredded on an air guitar. Although it has yet to be proven that Bruce actually played a real instrument, his love for music was displayed for all as he was always the center of attention on the dance floor at the wedding receptions of friends and family. Several of Bruce's aunts traveled to said events simply to have the chance to cut a rug with this "dancing legend." Bruce also had a great love of the water. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, boating, and just being near the water. Many of his family's fondest memories of him involve the staple items of a serious fisherman - a fishing pole, a Busch Light, and a cigarette. Bruce also used to speak of owning a pool hall at one point in time with a friend of his. (Name of said friend is rumored to be Scott). Though this story hasn't been established as truth, it certainly adds to Bruce's coolness and he would appreciate it being mentioned.

In his later years, Bruce was a force to be reckoned with when playing "Words with Friends." His impressive vocabulary was second only to his salesman savvy - he could sell ice to an Eskimo. He loved crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and video poker. Over the last several months, Bruce and his brother Larry had become jelly-making connoisseurs. It is thought the artists behind "B & L Jellies" did not leave a fruit un-jellied in their quest to perfect their art. Many of Bruce's family and friends were blessed to be gifted with the literal fruits of these labors. Bruce had an altar ego, better known as the "tickle bug" to his grandkids. The grandkids who outgrew the "tickle bug" continued to look forward to Papa Bruce's visits as they often ended up with the kids getting M&Ms, ice cream, soda, or some other treat forbidden by the parents.

It was no secret that Bruce liked to do things his own way, both in life and in death. His final wishes were to have his body donated to science. His family believes this selfless request was Bruce's way of giving back and possibly the only way he felt he would be granted redemption. His family honored this request with the assistance of the University of Tennesse, Knoxville.

Bruce is survived and terribly missed by a large number of family members. His surviving children include: Sarah (Rik) Stackman, of Jefferson City, MO, Brandy (Adam) Brockes of California, MO, Emily Markway of Fulton, MO, Breanna (Jason) Markway of Honey Creek, MO, and Brock Markway of Jefferson City, MO. His surviving grandchildren include: Sarah's children, Andrea (Ryan) Jungmeyer, Cole Stackman, Autumn Stackman, Justin Stackman, and Max Stackman; Brandy's children, Connor and Ruby Brockes; and Breanna's children, Chase and Cobin Bond. His surviving siblings include: Larry Markway of Quincy, IL, Linda Markway, CSJ, of St Louis, MO, Pattie (Mike) Jeffries of Jefferson City, MO, Allen (Helen) Markway of Knoxville, TN, Randy (Tracy) Markway of Westwood Hills, KS, and Gayla (Larry) Kempker of Taos, MO. Bruce is also survived by 18 loving nieces and nephews, as well as a slew of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Francis P. Markway and Delores C. (Renkemeyer) Markway, and an infant son, Adam Edward Markway.

The honorary pallbearers at his service will be Loren Luebbert, Rick Smith, Kyle Markway, Chad Kempker, Jim Croy, and Jim Carmichael.

Bruce's family is looking forward to receiving friends and extended family on Friday, October 21, 2016 from 4:00 until 7:00 pm at Freeman Mortuary. A private family memorial service will be held the following day.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bruce Markway Memorial Fund, c/o Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bruce E. Markway, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.