June F. (Clemons) Brucker, 90, of Herkimer, New York, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, May 21, 2023, at Valley Health Services in Herkimer, New York, where she had been a resident for rehabilitation for the last ten days. At the time of her passing, she had the love of her husband, Fran, by her side.
She was born on June 4, 1932, at her family home in Lassellsville, New York. June attended Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School and graduated with the Class of 1950.
On September 9, 1950, June was united in marriage to Francis M. Brucker at St. Mary’s Church in Little Falls, New York. The couple shared a union of 73 years together and raised their five children, grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren in a loving home.
In earlier years, June was employed by First Oneida National Bank, then worked alongside her husband with their family business, Brucker’s Mobile Services, for many years and lastly, she worked as an aide at the Herkimer County B.O.C.E.S until her retirement.
June was a long-time parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church in Herkimer, New York. She was also one of the pioneers and founding members who started the Herkimer ARC program that has helped thousands of central New York people. June also served as one of the Board of Directors for many years in support of the ARC.
In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, snowmobiling, camping, and the family camp at Caroga Lake. Her most precious time was spent in the company of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. June and Fran loved having all of the family over to enjoy their pool for many years. She always made sure everyone was fed and always gave each person something to take home.
A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, June touched many lives in her family and anyone who ever needed a hand. She will be dearly and sorely missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Francis M. Brucker, at home; loving children, Kathy Brucker Voorhees of Dolgeville, NY, Judy Ward and her husband, William of Herkimer, NY, Susan Brucker of Dolgeville, NY and Cynthia Ellis and her husband, Donald of Sagamore Beach, Cape Cod, MA; special grandchildren, Chris Ward and his companion, Vanessa West of Little Falls, NY, Andy Ward and his wife, Danielle of Little Falls, NY, Jeff Ward and his wife, Sarah of Herkimer, NY, Nick Sheffler of Fort Plain, NY, Jessica Ellis of Kingston, NY and Mack Ellis of Sagamore Beach, Cape Cod, MA; cherished great-grandchildren, Samantha Lewandowski and her husband, Cody, Brandon Ward and his fiancée, Jessica Lindsay, Morgan Ward and her companion, Ben Wlock, Brucker Ward, Lorelai Ward, Sadie Ward, and Ellie Ward; great-great-grandchildren, Noah Ward, Elijah Ward and soon to be great-great-grandson, James Lewandowski; many very special nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly, and cousins.
June was predeceased by her beloved son, James Francis Brucker, on February 8, 1991; her son-in-law, Doug Voorhees, on May 22, 2010; and her siblings, Eugene Clemons and his wife, Kate, Evelyn Douglas and her husband, Dayton and Ruth (Clemons) Hudson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church, 219 N. Bellinger Street, Herkimer, New York 13350. There will be no calling hours. Procession will follow to Rural Park Cemetery on Cemetery Road, Little Falls (Town of Manheim), New York, where she will be laid to rest with her son. All are welcome to attend the services.
Please consider memorial contributions for ARC Herkimer, 350 S. Washington St., P.O. Box 271, Herkimer, New York 13350. Please note in your check memo, “In Memory of June F. Brucker,” in order for the donation to be properly acknowledged. You may also donate online by visiting archerkimer.org/donate/
The Brucker Family would like to thank the caregivers for June and Francis especially thanking Karen Scanlon, which allowed them to stay in their home until the last couple of weeks, where the caregivers provided them with love, comfort, and support.
To leave a message of sympathy for June’s family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a memory or photo for her memory book.
My condolences on the passing of my cousin, June. I am so glad I got to spend time with her in the summer of 2021, just to catch up on all the family. May you find peace in your memories.