Mark Bruce, 50 of Hickory, North Carolina, passed away Friday, March 16, 2012 at Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley after a long and courageous battle with multiple health issues.  Born September 16, 1961, in Columbia, South Carolina, he was the son of Sue Link Bruce of Salisbury and the late Rev. Jim Bruce.  Mark was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Conover, where he was president of the church council, a Sunday school teacher, and youth group advisor.  He had received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Lenoir Rhyne Universtity, where he served as a chapter advisor for the Theta Xi fraternity and was chosen twice as "Outstanding Chapter Advisor for the Southeast Region."  He had also received an Associate in Arts degree in computer web technology from Catawba Valley Community College.  In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 28 years, Nancy Howard Bruce, and two sons, Matthew Bruce and Luke Bruce, all of the home; sister, Connie Reuter and husband, Bill, two nephews, Ryan Reuter and Logan Reuter, and neice, Megan Reuter, all of Orlando Florida; and two borthers-in-law, David Howard and Carl Howard, both of Hickory, NC.

The family will receive friends Monday evening, March 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.  The funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church with Pastors Jeff Lindsay, John Duncan and Gene Bruce officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetary.  Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Lutheran Church Building Fund, 3916 Springs Rd., Conover, NC  28613 of Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd, Newton, NC 28658.