Philip and Catherine Brazer

Philip J. and Catherine J. Brazer, husband and wife, ages 83 and 85 of Jackson, passed away Thursday, Oct. 20, and Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, respectively, at Missouri Veterans Home and the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Philip was born Oct. 25, 1921, in Baltimore, Md., son of Frank and Lula Thompson Brazer. Catherine was born Nov. 22, 1919, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Harry and Rose Bennett Hamilton. They were married April 7, 1951, married 54 years upon their deaths.

Serving honorably during World War II, Philip was a bomber pilot with the 8th Air Force in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

In Catherine's early career, she worked as a nurse's aide in Cape Girardeau.

After their marriage they lived in St. Louis. Philip worked for the railroad. He was a 3rd Degree Mason with a Blue Lodge and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite member of the Valley of St. Louis Shrine. Catherine worked as a dental assistant. Later they moved to Bonne Terre, Mo., where they owned and operated the Bonneville Inn, and in 1978 retired and moved to Jackson.

Loving survivors include two sons, Jim Brazer and wife Sue of St. Louis, Ed Brazer and wife Victoria of Jackson; two grandsons, Christopher and Zach Brazer; and three granddaughters, Meagan, Leah and Laura Brazer.

Philip was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Brazer.

Catherine was preceded in death by a brother, Edwin Hamilton.

A committal service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the gazebo in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Raymond McAfee officiating and full military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Missouri Veterans Home.

McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at mccombsfuneralhome.com.