Dennis George “Denny” Fuchs, 78, of Eureka died Jan. 3, 2021, at his home. Mr. Fuchs graduated in 1961 from Northwest High School, where he was active in basketball, football and track. He served in the Army National Guard and was called to serve in the Vietnam War as part of the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Engineers Battalion, Company B. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device. He was honorably discharged on March 30, 1970, as a sergeant. In 1995, he and his family helped found the VFW Post 5468 in Eureka, and he was elected the post’s first commander. Their post has won all-state honors several times for its community service. In 2014, he received the Bronze Award as a VFW Legacy Lifetime Member, presented to him by the national commander.
He also was involved with St. Vincent de Paul Society, the American Legion, Circle of Concern, Knights of Columbus, Eureka Senior Center and the Agape House in Pacific. He spent every Lent at the Most Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eureka, helping with its annual fish fry. He was named the 2006 Citizen of the Year for his work in the Eureka community. For years, he helped organize reunions for Northwest High and Sacred Heart Catholic School.
He worked in construction and was known as “the Concrete man.” He was a 53-year member of Laborers Local 110 in St. Louis. He served on the union’s Distress Committee, and after he retired, he stayed active with the union, becoming president of the retirees. He also loved spending time with his family. Born Dec. 25, 1942, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Ann Louise Strawhun and George Henry Fuchs.
He is survived by his wife: Margaret Ruth “Maggie” Wheeler, whom he married on June 14, 1980; a daughter: Jennifer Ann (Mark) Rickards; a granddaughter: Sancia; eight siblings: Mike Fuchs, Patty Hunt, Sandy (John) Huber, Kevin (Diane) Fuchs, Karen (Rick) Stark, Marty (Melinda) Fuchs, Shelley (Bruce) Ploetze and Chris (Kim) Fuchs; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday (Jan. 11) at Schrader Funeral Home, 108 N. Central Ave., in Eureka. A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 12) at Most Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 350 E. Fourth St., in Eureka. Burial will be in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Face masks will be required and social-distancing guidelines must be followed. Memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society at Most Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eureka. Arrangements are under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home.