David Venable, 88, of Arnold died Feb. 13, 2024. Mr. Venable served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a minesweeper sailor aboard the USS Skill MSO- 471. After an honorable discharge, he came home to start a family. After moving from the city to Arnold’s Bayshore subdivision, he enjoyed playing cards with the neighbors and creating friendships. He worked at General Motors as an assembler for most of his career, but also as an inspector and a union committeeman. He retired at age 52 when the plant closed. He enjoyed watching his kids play sports and attending his daughter's dance recitals. He had worked full-time and part-time jobs until retiring completely around the age of 82. He mainly worked as a security guard with his favorite being at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis. He also enjoyed woodworking with his lathe in the basement of his home. He liked going out for dinner and telling his waiters and waitresses corny jokes; he loved to make people laugh. His favorite holiday was Halloween and loved decorating his home. Mostly of all, loved spending time with his family and friends. Born Aug. 29, 1935, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Elizabeth Mae (Caldwell) and Nick John Venable.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years: Shirley Venable
He is survived by his wife of almost 2 years: Karen Anne (Jones) Venable of Arnold; five children: Nick (Karen) Venable of Arnold, Bob (Michele) Venable of St. Louis, Timothy (Carrol) Venable of Hillsboro, David (Lara) Venable of St. Louis and Dawn (Gene) Zimmermann of Arnold. 17 grandchildren: Brittney, Nicolas, Joseph, Justin, Andrew, Scotty, Timmy, Tiffany. Alexandrea "Alex", Zachary, Ben, Rebecca, Marguerite "Maggie", Josh, Danny, Lizzie and Olivia; 22 great-grandchildren; five stepchildren: Lisa (Jim) Shea of St. Louis, Ed (Karen) Naeger of St. Louis, Brian (Marcy) Naeger of St. Louis, Brad (Yulia) Naeger of St. Louis and Mark Naeger of St. Louis; 19 step-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.
He also was preceded in death by four siblings: John, Claudia "Sissy," Rose and Lydia "Punkin."
Visitation is scheduled from 10:30 until a funeral Mass at noon Friday, March 1, at Saint David Catholic Church, 2334 Tenbrook Road, in Arnold. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House at rmhcstl.com or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Fieser Funeral Home.