David Briggs

David Jared Briggs, 79, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of the Taylorville, Ill., area, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at the Missouri Veteran's Home.

He was born July 13, 1922, in Stonington, Ill., son of Ralph and Myrtle Linstrum Briggs. He and Arlene Eckert Ely were married July 7, 1970.

Briggs was a U. S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a businessman and farmer and a member of the Bromwell Masonic Lodge 451 in Assumption, Ill., the St. Louis Rotary Club and a Moolah Shriner.

Survivors include his wife; three stepdaughters, Candace Swingle of Cape Girardeau and Cathy Ely and Carolyn Parham, both of St. Louis; a stepson, Evan Ely of Bullhead City, Ariz.; a brother, William Briggs of Taylorville; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Friends may call at Shafer Funeral Home in Taylorville from 11 a.m.-noon Thursday.

Funeral will be at noon Thursday at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Old Stonington Cemetery in Stonington.