Chris L. Brewer
Chris L. Brewer of Cape Girardeau, Missouri entered into rest in the early morning of September 4, 2022, at his home in the care of Hospice and his family.
Chris was 76 Years, 6 Months, and 30 Days old.. He was born February 5, 1946 in Jennings, Missouri, the son of Elmer C. and Virginia R. (Kruse) Brewer. He married Mary J. Thomas February, 26, 1965. From this marriage there were four children: Christopher (Kit) Jr. (Samantha) Brewer, Mary “Misty” (Kevin) Klein, David Brewer (deceased), and Gabrielle L. Brewer. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Zooey Brewer and Kieran Brewer.
After the death of his first wife, he married Mary Ellen Lundy, who became his best friend, July 30, 2005 at the Ste. Marie du Lac Catholic Church in Ironton, Missouri, who survives.
Chris Graduated from Arcadia Valley High School in Ironton, Missouri, Class of 1964. He later completed an Associate Degree from Mineral Area College and a Bachelor and Master from Southeast Missouri State.
Early in Chris’ life, he worked on a survey crew with his uncle Buell. Then he worked at a shoe factory, two auto plants, and Bell Telephone company. For thirteen years he was a maintenance worker at Pilot Knob Pellet/Iron Mine. There he was a union rep and safety rep. At the end of his work at the mine, he began and graduated from college with his teaching certificate.
Chris was a Special Education, Math, and Psychology teacher in the public and alternative schools. His last teaching was fifteen years in the mental health and diagnostic center at a maximum security facility in the Missouri State Prison Systems.
Chris was a member of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, where he was also a Eucharistic Minister and usher. He and his wife lead a series of Marriage Prep classes for the Dioceses.
Chris was also a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, a life-long Elk, and a proud Democrat. He played and loved sports, especially golf. He enjoyed coaching basketball in the Lesterville School District and refereed basketball and volleyball throughout the area. He was a scout and later an adult leader.
Chris was thankful for the life lessons from his grandfather Bryan Brewer and his great grandfather C.C. Wadlow Jr. A variety of spiritual leaders influenced him as well. As a young adolescent he played golf with Reverend Chadwick who was in his eighties and Fr. Graveren who was in his fifties. Chris always said he learned more about life than golf from them.
Many priests have touched his life: Fr. Anthony Gaydos (deceased), Fr. Peter Rookey (deceased), Fr. James Unterreiner, Fr. Tom Kiefer, Fr. Allan Saunders, Fr. Tom Guido (Miramar Beach, Florida), and a very young priest Fr. Joseph Kelly.
The family is especially thankful to Southeast Hospice Care. Memorials are preferred to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cape Girardeau, MO; St. Marie Du Lac Catholic Church in Ironton, MO; and St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.
Visitation was held on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Cole Family Funeral Home. Rosary and a Funeral Mass were held afterwards.
Fr. Allan Saunders officiated the services, and interment followed the services in the Arcadia Valley Memorial Park in Ironton, MO.
