Donald Gene Gau Sr., 77, of Festus died Aug. 19, 2022, at his home. Mr. Gau retired as a maintenance worker from Carondelet Foundry Corp. He enjoyed beekeeping, fishing, hunting, rendezvousing, being outdoors, waving to his neighbors on Stroup Road and spending time with family and friends. Born July 9, 1945, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Irvin and Mamie (Younker) Gau.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years: Mary (Miller) Gau; three children: Donnie (Jeannette) Gau, Chris (Shonda) Gau and Teresa (Brian Sucharski) Gau; six grandchildren: Ryan, Adam, Dakota and Gabby Gau and Ryke and Ryli VanderMeulen; four great-grandchildren: Ryan, Aaron, Balian and Mabry Gau; a sister: Carol Gau; and many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Kenneth Gau and Robert Gau; and two sisters: Margaret Gau and Karen Tindal.
Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. until a funeral service at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Robert D. Brown Funeral Home, 103 Fourth St., in Hillsboro. Burial is in the Peaceful Meadows Cemetery in Hillsboro. Memorials may be made to Pony Bird, The Goode Life Rescue, Serenity Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert D. Brown Funeral Home.