David Leon Gamel, age 77, of Festus, Missouri, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021, at Fountainbleau Nursing Center in Festus. He was born September 13, 1944, in Lepanto, Arkansas, the son of the late Alma (née Wagster) and Eldon Gamel.
He is survived by daughters Leslie Gamel of Ft. Worth, Texas, Anna (Kerry) Portell of Festus, Nancy Gamel of Rockledge, Florida, and Kate Gamel of Ballwin, Missouri; sisters Martha (Charles) Bechtel of Sparks, Nevada, Mary LaBrier of St. Louis, Missouri, and Karen (Mike) Williams of Festus, Missouri; a brother John (Sonja) Gamel of Festus; 7 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one grand-dog, Lydia.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Glenda (the late Ivars) Sturms; and a brother Ron (Nancy survives of Festus) Gamel.
Affectionately known as "Super Dave," he was a welder and chief shop steward for Union Electric at several power generating facilities in the region and retired from their Rush Island plant. He was a member of Elks #1721. In retirement, Dave enjoyed traveling throughout Arkansas to research family genealogy and to various other states, following his grandson's college sports career. Dave was a captivating story-teller and was famous for his sarcastic expletives. Children in his life were sure to have received a chin-chopper or two, and many servers in various Festus restaurants thought of him as a friend or even surrogate grandpa.
Visitation from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday, November 22, 2021, at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus. Graveside funeral service 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Peaceful Ridge Cemetery in DeSoto, officiated by Chaplain Chuck Hoskins of Hillsboro. Memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Dave's memory are preferred, as he faithfully supported this organization.
He is survived by daughters Leslie Gamel of Ft. Worth, Texas, Anna (Kerry) Portell of Festus, Nancy Gamel of Rockledge, Florida, and Kate Gamel of Ballwin, Missouri; sisters Martha (Charles) Bechtel of Sparks, Nevada, Mary LaBrier of St. Louis, Missouri, and Karen (Mike) Williams of Festus, Missouri; a brother John (Sonja) Gamel of Festus; 7 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one grand-dog, Lydia.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Glenda (the late Ivars) Sturms; and a brother Ron (Nancy survives of Festus) Gamel.
Affectionately known as "Super Dave," he was a welder and chief shop steward for Union Electric at several power generating facilities in the region and retired from their Rush Island plant. He was a member of Elks #1721. In retirement, Dave enjoyed traveling throughout Arkansas to research family genealogy and to various other states, following his grandson's college sports career. Dave was a captivating story-teller and was famous for his sarcastic expletives. Children in his life were sure to have received a chin-chopper or two, and many servers in various Festus restaurants thought of him as a friend or even surrogate grandpa.
Visitation from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday, November 22, 2021, at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus. Graveside funeral service 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Peaceful Ridge Cemetery in DeSoto, officiated by Chaplain Chuck Hoskins of Hillsboro. Memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Dave's memory are preferred, as he faithfully supported this organization.
David Leon Gamel, age 77, of Festus, Missouri, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021, at Fountainbleau Nursing Center in Festus. He was born September 13, 1944, in Lepanto, Arkansas, the son of the late Alma (née Wagster) and Eldon Gamel.
He is survived by daughters Leslie Gamel of Ft. Worth, Texas, Anna (Kerry) Portell of Festus, Nancy Gamel of Rockledge, Florida, and Kate Gamel of Ballwin, Missouri; sisters Martha (Charles) Bechtel of Sparks, Nevada, Mary LaBrier of St. Louis, Missouri, and Karen (Mike) Williams of Festus, Missouri; a brother John (Sonja) Gamel of Festus; 7 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one grand-dog, Lydia.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Glenda (the late Ivars) Sturms; and a brother Ron (Nancy survives of Festus) Gamel.
Affectionately known as "Super Dave," he was a welder and chief shop steward for Union Electric at several power generating facilities in the region and retired from their Rush Island plant. He was a member of Elks #1721. In retirement, Dave enjoyed traveling throughout Arkansas to research family genealogy and to various other states, following his grandson's college sports career. Dave was a captivating story-teller and was famous for his sarcastic expletives. Children in his life were sure to have received a chin-chopper or two, and many servers in various Festus restaurants thought of him as a friend or even surrogate grandpa.
Visitation from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday, November 22, 2021, at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus. Graveside funeral service 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Peaceful Ridge Cemetery in DeSoto, officiated by Chaplain Chuck Hoskins of Hillsboro. Memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Dave's memory are preferred, as he faithfully supported this organization.
He is survived by daughters Leslie Gamel of Ft. Worth, Texas, Anna (Kerry) Portell of Festus, Nancy Gamel of Rockledge, Florida, and Kate Gamel of Ballwin, Missouri; sisters Martha (Charles) Bechtel of Sparks, Nevada, Mary LaBrier of St. Louis, Missouri, and Karen (Mike) Williams of Festus, Missouri; a brother John (Sonja) Gamel of Festus; 7 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one grand-dog, Lydia.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Glenda (the late Ivars) Sturms; and a brother Ron (Nancy survives of Festus) Gamel.
Affectionately known as "Super Dave," he was a welder and chief shop steward for Union Electric at several power generating facilities in the region and retired from their Rush Island plant. He was a member of Elks #1721. In retirement, Dave enjoyed traveling throughout Arkansas to research family genealogy and to various other states, following his grandson's college sports career. Dave was a captivating story-teller and was famous for his sarcastic expletives. Children in his life were sure to have received a chin-chopper or two, and many servers in various Festus restaurants thought of him as a friend or even surrogate grandpa.
Visitation from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday, November 22, 2021, at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus. Graveside funeral service 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Peaceful Ridge Cemetery in DeSoto, officiated by Chaplain Chuck Hoskins of Hillsboro. Memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Dave's memory are preferred, as he faithfully supported this organization.
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