Memorial services for Bruce will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at 1st Presbyterian Church in Toledo. Visitation for Bruce will be held on Friday, February 6, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. also at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Bruce and his family.

Bruce was born May 2, 1947 to Earl and Rhonda (Burns) McEltree in Marshalltown, Iowa. His father was a member of the United States Air Force. The family moved several times throughout Bruce’s formative years, living all over the world.

While Bruce’s family was stationed in Pennsylvania, he met Theresa Burns. He and Theresa were married in 1967, and later that year he enlisted to serve in the Vietnam War in the United States Army. He was sent to the front lines to honorably be of service to his country and unfortunately, become one of the victims of the United States Military’s use of Agent Orange.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Bruce divorced and made his way back to Iowa where his parents had settled in Toledo. He met and married Suzanne Craig, and they had one daughter, Amy. Suzie and Bruce made their life in the community until her passing in 2006.

As a long-time resident of Toledo, Bruce wanted to make a community impact through service by starting the Toledo Fire and Ambulance service with the very people that have touched the lives of many of us we call friends. He was one of a few that held the title of rescue tech “RT”, and search and recovery diver. Bruce truly was the definition of what it meant to be of service.

If you needed a print design for a shirt, jacket, shorts, or other item, Bruce was your guy at Zach’s game bag. You could find him in his gym shorts and white tube socks, along with that signature beard, to help you out. The South Tama community was synonymous with a Bruce McEltree design, along with numerous other organizations in the area and state.

To honor military members, Bruce was there to lift up his brothers and sisters. He never faltered at providing a guiding hand, an ear to listen, or a show of support. He was a Veteran through it all.

Bruce enjoyed his time on the golf course and was proud of his holes in one a few different times.

Later in life, he met DalLynn Hotchkiss. They formed a friendship and later married. Through this marriage, Bruce had the pleasure of knowing a larger family and what life was like to have sons, Dallas, Dustin, and Dirk. Through those bonds, they were able to do “man” things, and of course, it was an enjoyable time.

During this time, Norman Dvorak came to live with Bruce and DalLynn. Bruce and Norman enjoyed their time watching “the painter”, Bob Ross, and various food shows each day. They formed a bond that only a couple of dudes could appreciate in their later years at home.

Bruce made a lifelong commitment to personal, ethical, and spiritual development as a Master Mason, which is designed to make a “good man better”. He made the vow to uphold the tenets of Freemasonry to uphold high moral standards, act with honor and integrity in all aspects of life. I think anyone who knows Bruce can see that his true self is a reflection of these tenets.

He was also an active member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Grand Lodge of Iowa , American Legion, VFW and Conrad Golf Club.

As we say goodbye today, may we reflect upon ourselves and look inward to see what Bruce’s life has meant to each of us. How generous and profound can a man be? May we hold him in our hearts and our memories and be better for knowing him.

Preceding him in death were his parents; Chet and Rhonda McEltree; one brother, Kelly McEltree; a wife, Suzi McEltree; and a son-in-law, Matt Garringer.

Survivors include his wife, DalLynn McEltree; one daughter, Amy Garringer; one step-daughter Devin Boerm; three step-sons, Dallas Boerm, Dustin Boerm, and Dirk Boerm all of Toledo; two granddaughters, Lily Garringer and Arabella Boerm both of Toledo; four grandsons, Cameron Garringer of Winterset, Micah Garringer, Niko Garringer, and Hunter Boerm all of Toledo.