Gillespie, IL - - Denny Bruckert has passed
    - Obituary
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Denny Bruckert (Gillespie, Ill.), who was instrumental in the development of men’s fast pitch softball and coached the Men’s National Team program, passed away on Thursday, May 2. Bruckert led the Men’s National Team from August, 2013 until stepping away from the program in August of 2017 due to health concerns. USA SoftballÂ
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Very sad news received today via Ron Brinkman, Denny Bruckert has passed away.
Our sincere condolences to Susan and the family.
  - Al Doran
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Dennis M. "Denny" Bruckert, 74, of Plainview, IL, died at his residence from pancreatic cancer on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at 10:26 am. He was born June 5, 1944, in Litchfield, IL to Harry Bruckert and Catherine (Musgrove) Bruckert. He married Susan (Briskovich) Bruckert on March 20, 1999. Denny graduated from Bunker Hill High School with the class of 1962. While in high school he excelled and loved baseball and basketball. He was drafted to play baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but declined, and was an Illinois All State basketball player. Denny was very proud of his United States Navy service and spent over two and one-half years in Vietnam being there over three Christmas holidays. Denny was a member of the VFW Post 4547 of Gillespie, Illinois. As many of you know, Denny’s passion was fastpitch softball and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. To say he was a sports fanatic is an understatement. Denny loved all sports. His fastpitch softball teams won many international and national championships, but his proudest accomplishment in softball was being the head coach of the United States Men’s National Fastpitch Softball team. He always wore the red, white and blue with honor and worked hard to teach and encourage his players to do their best and to always represent their country in the best possible way. Denny’s second proudest sports moment was being able to teach his grandson Dominic the basics of baseball at a very early age and to coach his little league teams until his health failed him several years ago. He was retired after having been partner/owner of the Daley Bruckert new car dealerships in Gillespie, Staunton and Carlinville, Illinois. He is survived by his spouse, Susan Bruckert, children, Shanna Michelle Bruckert, Brandy Lea Bruckert (spouse, Daniel Fisher), Shelly Alepra (spouse, Matt), Alan Young (spouse, Kelley), grandchildren, Dominic Alepra, Isabella Alepra, Marcus Young and Ashley Young, siblings, Ronald Bruckert (spouse, Ginny), Carol Zakrewski (spouse, Gary), half brother and half sister, Bob Bruckert and Candy Bruckert, as well as nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Denny was preceded in death by his mother, Catherine (Musgrove) Bruckert, birth father, Harry Bruckert, step father, Albert Bruckert, and first wife, Peaches (Stankoven) Bruckert. Friends may call on Monday, May 13, 2019 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie, IL from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services are Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 11:00 am at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, IL with Pastor Brian Holle officiating. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery, Gillespie, IL. Memorials are suggested to USA Softball Legacy Club or Illinois Valley E D C of Gillespie, IL. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com
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Denny Bruckert inducted into ISC Hall of Fame 2008
Denny Bruckert inducted into ASA Hall of Fame 2012
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Denny Bruckert named head coach for USA Softball Men's Fast Pitch National Team Â
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    - 2 May 2019
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- It will be twenty years ago this coming summer that I had the pleasure of being asked to travel with Denny and Team USA on the 1999 "Ontario Tour" prior to the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg:
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Denny and Susan at ISC Hall of Fame Induction 2008 - Kimberly, WI
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 ISC Hall of Fame Induction 2008, Kimberly, WI
Larry Lynch (2007), Al Doran and Denny Bruckert
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