Chris Brewer

Chris L. Brewer of Cape Girardeau entered into rest in the early morning of Sunday, Sept. 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 Feb. 5, 1946, in Jennings, Missouri, the son of Elmer C. and Virginia R. Kruse Brewer. He married Mary J. Thomas on Feb. 26, 1965. From this marriage there were four children: Christopher "Kit" (Samantha) Brewer Jr., Mary "Misty" (Kevin) Klein, the late David Brewer and Gabrielle L. Brewer. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Zooey Brewer and Kieran Brewer.

After the death of his first wife, Chris married Mary Ellen Lundy, who became his best friend, July 30, 2005, at Ste. Marie du Lac Catholic Church in Ironton, Missouri. She survives.

Chris graduated from Arcadia Valley High School in Ironton, Class of 1964. He later completed an associate degree from Mineral Area College and bachelor's and master's degrees from Southeast Missouri State University.

Early in Chris's life, he worked on a survey crew with his uncle Buell. Then he worked at a shoe factory, two auto plants and Bell Telephone Co. For 13 years, he was a maintenance worker at Pilot Knob Pellet/Iron Mine. There, he was a union representative 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 stint was 15 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 in Cape Girardeau, where he was also a Eucharistic minister and usher. He and his wife lead a series of marriage preparation classes for the diocese.

Chris was also a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, a lifelong Elk and a proud Democrat. He played and loved sports, especially golf. He enjoyed coaching basketball in the Lesterville (Missouri) 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 the Rev. Chadwick, who was in his 80s, and the Rev. Graveren, who was in his 50s. Chris always said he learned more about life than golf from them. Many priests have touched his life: the late Rev. Anthony Gaydos, the late Rev. Peter Rookey, the Rev. James Unterreiner, the Rev. Tom Kiefer, the Rev. Allan Saunders, the Rev. Tom Guido at Miramar Beach, Florida, and a very young priest, the Rev. 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, Ste. Marie Du Lac Catholic Church in Ironton and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

A visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Cole Family Funeral Home in Ironton. Rosary will be at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Ste. Marie du Lac Catholic Church, with the Rev. Saunders officiating. Interment will follow in Arcadia Valley Memorial Park in Ironton.