David Allen “Dave” Brewer, 82, of Festus died Dec. 24, 2020, at his home. Mr. Brewer, a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served on the U.S.S. McGinty, was a retired autoworker with the General Motors plant in St. Louis. He was a Catholic and a fourth-degree member and Faithful Navigator of Knights of Columbus Council 1230. He was a life member and past commander of American Legion Post 253; a life member of VFW Post 3777; a member of Shekinah Masonic Lodge 256; a member of Elks Lodge 1721; a former member and past president of the Mapaville Volunteer Fire Department; and a member and past president of the Bloomsdale, and later St. Mary, Missouri Country Music Association. He was born Feb. 3, 1938, in Brewer, the son of the late Agnes “Cecelia” (Swink) and Harley Brewer.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years: Monica (Heberlie) Brewer, whom he married May 27, 1961; four children: Craig (Christine) Brewer of Festus, Dana (Roger) Beavers of Arnold, Lisa (Jeff) Broombaugh of De Soto and Kyle (Christine) Brewer of Festus; two brothers: Gene (Judy) Brewer of Dunlap, Tenn., and Jerry (Iva) Brewer of Brewer; a sister: Debra Thieret of Perryville; 12 grandchildren: Candice (Jacob) Phipps, Justin (Tonya) Brewer, Tana (Cody) Harrison, Tyler Beavers, Austin Beavers, Leslie (Sam) Hegger, Jeffrey Broombaugh, Steven Broombaugh, Monica Broombaugh, Morgan Broombaugh, Kyle D. (Jessica) Brewer II and Amber (Brent) Kelley; and 11 great-grandchildren: Mathias Phipps, Selah Phipps, Addison Brewer, Madilynn Brewer, Ethan Brewer, Michelle Beavers, Brooke Beavers, Hadley Brewer, Liam Brewer, Savana Brewer and Remi Kelley.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Charles Brewer.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at the funeral home, officiated by Chaplain Mike Sacca. Burial with full military honors is in the Hematite Methodist Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.