Master Sergeant Bruce Nelson Costner

Bruce Nelson Costner, 57, of Warsaw, MO and formerly of Norborne, MO died at 10:35 a.m. on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at his home, from injuries sustained in a farming accident.
Bruce was born on March 9, 1954 in Norborne to Bernice Milo and Naomi Lucille (Hardwick) Costner.
Survivors include his fiancé, Tamre Walter of Marshall, MO; one son and daughter in-law, Beau and Danielle Costner of Utica, MO; two daughters and two sons in-law, Cassi and Brad Ralston of Gardner, KS and Amy and Kevin Stucker of Harrisonville, MO; 9 grandchildren, Caden, Milo, Harrison, Madison, Mackenzie, Jordan, Andrew, Alexis and Katelyn; one brother and sister in-law, John Wayne and Cindia Costner of Carrollton, MO; one sister and brother-in-law, Brenda Sue and Roger Winfrey of Clifton, CO; and several nieces and a nephew also survive.
Bruce was a 1972 graduate of the Norborne High School. Bruce enlisted in the Air Force Reserve on March 7, 1989 and had over 22 years of service. He was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant (E-7) on March 1, 2002. He deployed twice to Kuwait for Operation Southern Watch in 1998 & 1999, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008. The medals he earned included: Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (posthumously), Air Force Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal Global, War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NATO Medal. Bruce was working at Whiteman Air Force Base and living in Warsaw the last 10 years. He was of the Baptist faith. He was a member of the Shawnee Masonic Lodge #653 A.F. and A.M. , a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post #14000 and American Legion Post #0217 all of Warsaw.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Wright Flight Program.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home in Norborne. Visitation will be Friday, September 23 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a masonic service at 6:30 p.m. prior to visitation at Thurman Funeral Home in Norborne. Burial will be held in the Ebenezer Cemetery near Bogard, MO with full Military honors provided by the Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard.