Lavern Brewster 1931-2017

Lavern Brewster, 86, of Blandinsville, Illinois passed away at 5:30 P.M. Thursday, December 21, 2017 at the Illinois Veteran's Home in Quincy.

Lavern was born March 27, 1931, the son of Irwin Lafey and Della Frances (Walker) Brewster in La Belle, Missouri. After high school he served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 until receiving his Honorable Discharge in 1954. He served on the USS DeHaven DD-727 during the Korean War as an Engineman 2nd Class

On June 13, 1954 he was united in marriage to Gloria A. Bishop in Burnside, Illinois. She survives.

Lavern enjoyed his ship's reunions as a member of the USS DeHaven Sailors Association. He was also a member of the Tin Can Sailor's Association.

Lavern had farmed and enjoyed working on cars and tractors. In addition to tractor repair he also operated a heating and air conditioning shop at his home. He worked many years in utility maintenance for Western Illinois University in Macomb before retiring in 1999.

Lavern was a member of the Blandinsville Baptist Church. In his younger years he had
served as a Boy Scout Leader.

Lavern is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Blandinsville; three daughters, Kathy Nudds of Hendersonville, Tennessee; and Connie (Galen) Wollbrink and Nancy (Steve) Goetz, both of Carthage; three sons, Russ Brewster ofTampa, Florida, Rob Brewster of Plainfield, Indiana and Ron Brewster of Jacksonville, Florida; eleven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and a brother, Leland (Loretta) Brewster ofDes Moines, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Lenora Wiser and Verline
Garrett.