Arthur "Bruce" Beener

Arthur "Bruce" Beener, 79, of St. Marys, OH died Monday January 4, 2021 at Lima Memorial Health System.

He was born May 27, 1941 in Covington, OH to Arthur Leroy and Beatrice "Babe" Irene (Smith) Beener.

On August 3, 1985, he married Shirley "Toni" Burden, who survives.

Also survived by:  son A. Scott (Sandra) Beener; daughter Theresa (Brian) Morse; daughter Tracie (Robert) Sims 

                             step-daughter Tami (Jeff) Cox; step-daughter Julie Williams; step daughter-in-law Loretta Williams;                         .                            step-daughter Heather (Anthony) Warner     

                             24 grandchildren    21 great-grandchildren

                             19 step great-grandchildren

                             brother John Beener of Piqua, OH

                             nephew John Beener, Jr.; niece Yvonne (Herb) Lear                             

Preceded in death by: father Arthur Beener and mother Babe Beener-Palsgrove; brother Barry Beener; step-son Vince Willams; step-son Brent Williams; step-grandson Joshua Williams

In his youth, Bruce worked at the Beener's Cardinal Grocery store. As a teen, he helped his father raise horses and drag-race a 1956 Chevy (winning many awards for both), until he left for the US Army, where he became a Buck Sergeant. Following his discharge from military service, he became a Mounted Police Deputy for the Miami Co. Sheriff's Department. He then returned to the grocery business, from which he eventually retired in 2006 at Chief (formerly Brodbeck's) Supermarket.

Bruce and Toni moved to St. Marys in 1985, where they founded Water Woodlands Driftwood Arts, which offered creations of sculptural lake driftwood and ceramic pieces. Their art was distributed widely throughout the United States and many foreign countries.

When he wasn't scouring area waterways for driftwood, he could be found fishing, watching the OSU Buckeyes, listening to 50's music, watching action films or playing solitaire.

An active member of Grace United Methodist Church, he operated their soundboard, organized Christian music festivals and generally helped in any way possible.

Private graveside services are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday January 12, 2021 at the Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys. Military funeral honors will be offered for him at the services.

A public memorial service will be scheduled at a future date.

Condolences may be expressed and memories shared with Bruce's family via: www.millerfuneralhomes.net

Arrangements are entrusted to the Miller Bros. Funeral Directors in St. Marys.