OBITUARY: Douglas M. Brewer

Douglas M. “Doug” Brewer, 71, died on Nov. 21, 2021, at his home in Newton.

He was born on Sept. 22, 1952, in Eldorado, the oldest of three children of Loyd and Louella (Schmidt) Brewer. He graduated from Peabody High School in 1971. He was a member of the Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing.

Doug started at Hesston Corp. in 1973, starting in the machine shop and later moving to engineering as a field test technician. For five years, Doug traveled across the United States in field test, and then went to the test lab for 30 years.

On Aug. 15, 1982, Doug was united in marriage to Margaret Steffy in East Petersburg, Pa. Following his marriage, he stopped traveling for work. But the travel bug had bitten him and he continued traveling with Margaret, his kids, friends and relatives. He went to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, England and Nova Scotia, as well as all 50 states.

Doug’s greatest trip was in 2014. He traveled to Israel with Tour Imagination, and he was thrilled to be walking where Jesus had walked.

Doug was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in May 2010. He continued traveling while taking chemo. He would plan trips, cancel trips and plan some more.

Doug is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Margaret; two children, Ashley (Brian) Wilson and Wesley (Bonnie) Brewer; five grandchildren, Rhett and Kallen Wilson, Donavan Garcia and Jeremiah Brewer; two sisters, Kathryn (Charles) Fisher and Dianna Bradford; three nieces, Ruth Fisher, Rebekah Mallya and Rachel Nyaga, and Marvin (Nicole) Ricell, a child of his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Loyd and Louella Brewer.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, at Grace Hill Mennonite Church in rural Whitewater. The service will be hosted and conducted by the Zion Mennonite Church of Elbing with Pastors Ray Reimer and Karen Andres presiding. Masks are encouraged during the service, please.   A graveside service will take place before the memorial at 9:30 a.m. at Whitewater Center Cemetery in rural Burns. Visitation was from 5-9 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, with family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m., at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton.

Memorials may be made to Cancer Center of Kansas or Mennonite Central Committee, in care of Petersen Funeral Home.

 

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