Bruce B. Yelton, 69, died at his home in West Chester on July 7.
Born in Wilmington, to Everett Brown Yelton II and Madelyn Baetz Yelton, Bruce grew up in Victoria, Texas, Orange, Texas, and West Chester. He graduated from Tower Hill School in Wilmington. He then studied at Trinity College and RPI, where he earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering degree in 1972. After graduation, Bruce worked for the Edlon Corporation, a division of Pfaudler, in both Avondale, and Long Island, N.Y., retiring in 1986.
After his retirement, Bruce discovered his true passion and second career in community service and volunteerism. He served as a Pocopson Township supervisor and auditor, Tower Hill Alumni Representative and volunteered at Kennett Middle School’s After the Bell Program and The Barn at Spring Brook Farm.
One of Bruce’s greatest joys was his informal nickname of Uncle Bruce. He thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent with his nieces Andromeda Yelton and her husband Grant Gould of Somerville, Mass.; Allison Yelton and her husband Brent Black of Wallingford, Vt.; Jaime Manlove of Wilmington; nephew Jerett Yelton, and wife Megan Yelton of Norwalk, Conn. and great nieces and nephews. Over the years, Bruce never missed an opportunity to attend their sporting events and was always seen beaming with pride at their accomplishments. It was noted on more than one occasion that Uncle Bruce attended more of Jaime’s games than most parents!
Bruce was passionate about genealogy and spent many years working on family lineage tracing some ancestors back to the early 1600s. His work took him to Salt Lake City and numerous county courthouses throughout the country in pursuit of family records.
Bruce was a dedicated recycler, an advocate for open spaces and a quiet philanthropist. He enjoyed hiking and exploring the country by train and was always interested in a conversation about American history, antique cars and NFL football.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his older brother, Everett B. Yelton III. He will be dearly missed by his oldest brother, David Yelton and spouse Lillian Waugh of Morgantown, W.Va.; his younger sisters, Madelyn Yelton and partner Jeff Lyons of Elkton, Md.; Victoria Manlove and husband Joe Manlove of Wilmington, and sister-in-law Dianne Yelton of Londonderry, Vt.
As per Bruce’s expressed wishes, his body was cremated. No formal services will be held but the family will host a celebration of Bruce’s life at his farm on Sept. 8, from 2-4 p.m.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Longwood Fire Company, the Kennett Area Community Services, or a charity of your choosing
To view his online tribute, or to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com
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