John E. Brase, 94, of Festus, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003, at Delmar Gardens South Nursing Center in St. Louis County.

He was born Aug. 8, 1909, in Jackson, son of Dr. Ferdinand and Bertha Haman Brase. He married Helen T. Sander, who died Feb. 25, 1999.

Brase was a 1927 graduate of Jackson High School, and moved from Jackson in 1931. He was a State Farm Insurance agency manager 33 years in Festus, and then was a representative 25 years with Spencer Auto Glass in St. Louis.

He was a former elder at Grace Presbyterian Church in Crystal City, Mo., and former president and longtime member of Festus-Crystal City Rotary Club. He was also a former member of Festus School Board, Citizens Bank of Festus and Commerce Bank.

Survivors include two sons, John "Jack" Brase of St. James City, Fla., Robert "Bob" Brase of St. Louis; a sister, Ella Lange of St. Louis; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus. The Revs. Richard Carter and Charles Dreyer will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens at Crystal City.