1959
2025
Bruce Alan Troxel, age 66, of Merrillville, IN, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025 surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of Linda Troxel, nee LaVecchia. Loving father of Andrew John Troxel, Kelsey Lynn Troxel, Alexandra Nicole Troxel and Aimee Marie Troxel. Dear brother of Kevin (Margaret) Troxel, Scott (Kathy) Troxel, Kim (Glenn Nichols) Maglish, and the late infant brother Todd. Preceded in death by his parents Larry and Mary Troxel.
Bruce dedicated his career to helping others as a substance abuse counselor, making a meaningful difference in the lives of many. Prior to that, he served with the Gary Police Department as both a police officer and a homicide detective. He was known for his love of fishing and golfing with his longtime friends, and for cherishing time with his family, especially his wife and children. Bruce had a deep appreciation for music, whether it was classic rock or contemporary Christian songs, and he enjoyed relaxing with a good book in his free time.
A kind and compassionate man, Bruce was always thinking of others. He mowed lawns and shoveled snow for his elderly neighbors, and never hesitated to visit loved ones daily when they were in the hospital. Bruce loved making people laugh, often brightening the room with his jokes and bringing smiles to everyone around him. He was a loving husband and devoted father who always put his family first. Bruce was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Visitation Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN with a funeral service to be held at 7:00 p.m. For further information, please contact 219-322-7300 or visit our online obituary and guest book at www.SMITSFH.com
Carolyn Stegeman
Yesterday
My heart is heavy. Bruce was more than just my counselor over the past several years, he became a friend and I will miss him terribly.
To Bruce's family my heart and prayers go out for you. Bruce was a great man! May God fill your hearts with comfort during this time and flood your hearts with His love.
Michelle Smith
Yesterday
Thinking of all of you. He will be missed. He is surely making them laugh in heaven. For your loss, I am truly sorry.
Ashley Antle
Yesterday
You were the best co worker I’ve ever had! So many laughs & good times! My condolences go out to not only his family but especially his wife Linda! You were an amazing man to everyone! We will miss you! ❤
Becky Stover
Yesterday
Rest in peace.
Becky (known as “Big Becky”) Stover
Yesterday
My sincere sympathy to the Troxel family, the Smith family, the Walter’s family, the Timmons family and the Stover family. Bruce was a good man who made a difference in many lives. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace. May God Bless each of you and give you peace.
Buc Weaver
Yesterday
Bruce,
Our sincere condolenses to the Troxell family. You will be missed by all who you touched in life. The class of 1977 will cherish your uncanny behavior, quick wit and true friendship you made in lifes adventure. From one cop to another you were always there in helping others in our profession and your community when you were called upon.
Buc/Nancy Weaver
Letoya Jones
Yesterday
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Stef Nagrocki De Young
July 14, 2025
A wonderful guy. R.I.P.
Nancy and Buc Weaver
July 14, 2025
Bruce will always be remembered for his funny personality. He was always making us laugh all throughout high school. Gone too soon. RIP Bruce.
Laura Osborne
July 14, 2025
My love goes out to you and your family I was a client of Bruce's and he always made me laugh
Mike r
July 14, 2025
Bruce was good man. My condolences to you all.
Kim Troxel Maglish
July 14, 2025
Bruce you were always there for me when I needed you especially thru my surgeries. My heart is broken. I love you and I will see you again in heaven
Kristina Glover
July 14, 2025
Funny and friendly man I knew from high school. Prayers for his family.
Linda Troxel
July 14, 2025
You will always be in my heart my love
Kaitlyn Baugh
July 13, 2025
You came into my life in one of the darkest chapters of my life and still some how shown me the light in it all. I’m not ready to say goodbye. So for now, see you later alligator.
Love,
Kaitlyn & Oahklyn or as you’d say “Og”
Mike
July 12, 2025
Bruce, you may rest in peace. You were a great listener and a counselor. We had a long haul 16 years of knowing each other. It was great hearing all the stories you told me.! You will be truly missed rest in peace!
Suzana J
July 11, 2025
I just heard the devastating news & my heart is so heavy, im in loss for words RIP Bruce you were always a great listener & very helpful Thank you, you will always be missed!
Jacky Liszewski
July 11, 2025
Bruce was one of the very few people who treated me as an equal. I do not have the words to properly express the depth of my condolences to the family. Bruce, I would say I'll see you on the other side but you would probably make a joke out of that!
Jacky Liszewski
Michelle Duszynski
July 11, 2025
Rest in peace Bruce. My prayers go out to the family. I've known him many years, he was a great person and helped so many. He was always so nice to my husband and I. I'm at a loss of words finding out this devestating news. You will be missed.
Ronald "Cory" Duszynski
July 11, 2025
My deepest condolences to the entire Troxel family. I've known Bruce for over 16 years and he was a great consuler. He always worked around my schedule so I would not be late for work due to my 3 hour drive each way. We've had many talks over the years about fishing and he would always talk about how much he loved his wife. When he found out I was getting married back in 2015, he gave me advice and words of wisdom to have a happy marriage. He even talked to my wife as well. I still take the advice he gave me and it works great. My wife and I are happily married and best friends. I just found out today and my wife and I are devastated. He will be deeply missed. He helped so many people and was so calm. I never ever heard him raise his voice or get mad. He was a great guy. Prayers for the family.
DIANE APOSTOLOFF
July 11, 2025
My Deepest Sympathies to the Troxel Family, Bruce, with your heart of gold, RIP my friend. May Your Memory Be Eternal.
Jesse Salomon Ret. Gary Police Sergeant
July 10, 2025
I knew Bruce from the Gary Police Department, I found him to be he highly intelligent and well respected. He was lighthearted and ready to lend a helping hand. He will be sadly missed.
Bob Dunlap
July 10, 2025
I will miss you my friend
Gene Williams
July 10, 2025
Thank you Bruce for all your years of service both as a police officer and help people like me with addiction problems, you were a gentleman and will be missed my friend.
Jeffrey and Kimberly Davies
July 10, 2025
Good guy, knew him a long time, always there to help.
Gladys Turner
July 9, 2025
He was a very good neighbor and a big help to me. I remember when he started cutting my grass. He just started doing it. I was shoveling the snow and he told me to go in the house and he just kept doing it. I would try to give him some thing once in awhile, but he let me know that he didn’t need anything. It “was good exercise” he would say. I will miss him because he would always wave and speak whenever he came out of his house. Linda, May God comfort you and the rest of your family in this great loss. If you need anything, please let me know
Ron Legler
July 9, 2025
My sincerest sympathies go out to the entire Troxel family. I too have known Bruce for over 50 years. Growing up with Bruce in Griffith was a privilege and a blast. I will always hold the fond memories we had together playing sports, and having a good time , in my heart. Miss you Brother. See ya on the other side.
Michael
July 9, 2025
Thank you for all the advice and encouragement Bruce. I'll remember and miss our talks. You worked hard to make this world a better place for others. Rest up my friend. God bless you and may He be with your family and friends.
Bob Dunlap
July 9, 2025
I will miss you my friend
Josie Buirse
July 9, 2025
Bruce was such a caring and kind neighbor, you will be surly missed.
Kathy Gamez
July 9, 2025
U always visited mom and dad, always reading the news paper.u will b truly missed, my friend. Fly high.
Brandon Peterson
July 9, 2025
One of the great ones My uncle Bruce was great to me as a kid My grandma stayed close with him til the end. AJ & Kels I love ❤ you !!! Aunt Trish! I’m sorry (love ya also) and to my condolence to his wife and children!!! I’m sure he will be dearly missed! To uncle Bruce, thank you for caring. I’ll always have fond memories !!!
La Donna Crowder
July 9, 2025
My condolence to your loving wife and the entire family.
Bruce I will truly miss calling you for your birthday because we were a day apart. I will miss our friendship. You were a great coworker. Love LaDonna Crowder.
Mac Brown
July 9, 2025
Bruce was my good pal since the 7th grade, and part of a group of guys who have clung tight to their mutual friendships for more than 50 years. We all loved him dearly. He was a deeply caring guy despite his unrelenting attempts to seem nonchalant. Every one of us who needed a hand, or a ride, or a volunteer, knew the real Bruce. He was also a really intelligent and thoughtful guy - who put himself through college by hitchhiking to class at St Joseph’s college every day but it is all too much to write here he was a fine athlete in every sport, he looked like Donny Osmond in Junior High, and he will be both missed, and regaled in our stories, for a loooong time to come.
Al Salazar
July 9, 2025
Great guy! sorry for your loss Linda and family.
Tracy
July 9, 2025
You will be missed greatly Bruce.
May you rest peacefully. Thank you for being there in my time of need and all the years you were my Councelor.
July 9, 2025
Really going to miss you brother,love ya Kevin
New Season Treatment Center Staff
July 9, 2025
In loving memory of a colleague, Counselor Bruce, we will cherish our fond memories and miss you always.
Regina Hendley
July 9, 2025
Linda, our deepest sympathy to you and the entire family during this time of sorrow. Our collective hearts are heavy, and we stand with you during this very difficult time of such a great loss to all. The entire team at New Season Treatment Center offers our support in any way we can. Please know that our thoughts are with you and your family.
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