LANCASTER, MO. -- A longtime northeast Missouri sheriff is dead after suffering a heart attack.

Schuyler County Coroner Doug Norman told KTVO that Sheriff Donald "Donnie" Bruner, 60, was pronounced dead late Wednesday night in the emergency room at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

Bruner's visitation and funeral arrangements are below.

An ambulance was called to Bruner's home just outside Lancaster Wednesday night.

Co-workers said Bruner had been in failing health, and he has had health problems for years.

In fact, he was just released from the hospital on Tuesday.

"He's been in and out of the hospital, and just when he's been in here, we've noticed his health has failed a lot. I mean, it's a shock, and we send our sympathies out to the family for that," said Schuyler County Clerk Bree Shaw.

Bruner has worked for the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office since Jan. 1, 1977.

He became sheriff on Jan. 1, 1991.

As you might imagine Thursday was a somber day at the Schuyler County Courthouse.

"It's pretty low-key today (Thursday). I mean it's quiet. We've had a lot of people who have come in just to tell us, 'We're sorry.' We've had a lot of phone calls. The Sheriff's Office, you know, they were around him more than the people upstairs (at the courthouse), and they're feeling it pretty hard,” said Shaw.

In an emergency meeting Thursday morning, Schuyler County commissioners appointed Chief Deputy Carl "Fritz" Gottman acting sheriff until a special election is held Dec. 15.

The Democratic and Republican parties in Schuyler County have until 5 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009 to submit names to appear on the special election ballot.

Funeral arrangements for Bruner are being handled by Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster.

Donna Norman told KTVO Friday that visitation is set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Bruner's funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lancaster Christian Church.

Burial will be in the Queen City Cemetery.