Campbellsville—Jonathan Bruckert, a senior at Campbellsville University, died in a car accident July 19 in Taylor County. He was 23.

Bruckert was travelling to Louisville to visit family when the accident happened. His parents, Greg and Shelly Bruckert, are missionaries to Indonesia and are on furlough visiting relatives in Louisville.

According to those who knew him, Bruckert was actively involved in missions work and ministry at Campbellsville University.

Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries, described Bruckert as “likeable and friendly and made friends across the board.” Pavy also said Bruckert was involved with Baptist Campus Ministry and attended weekly BCM Oasis meetings.

“He was a wonderful kid who had shown a lot of maturity over the past year as he took his spiritual life more seriously,” Pavy noted.

He added that the Bruckert family was very supportive of Campbellsville University having sent three children to the school. Pavy recalled that Greg Bruckert had spoken at the annual BCM dinner theater on campus in February and also hosted CU students on a mission trip to Indonesia.

“There is a special bond with missionary families,” Pavy said. “No matter where they are missionaries, there is that sense of kinship.”

David Akers, minister of recreation at Campbellsville Baptist Church who worked with Jonathan Bruckert said the student’s death sends a “strong message of evangelistic note.”

“You can’t control your destiny, and if people think they can get by without trauma or injuries in life, that won’t happen,” Akers noted. “Jon was a Christian and I pray for his family.”

Funeral services were held July 22 at Westport Road Baptist Church in Louisville. In addition to his parents, Bruckert is survived by two sisters, Jennifer, who is a Campbellsville graduate, and Jamie, who currently is a student at the university.