Melvin (Mel) Louis Brehe, civic leader, successful businessman, and strong family man, died at the Touchmark Retirement Community on Feb. 12, 2012. He was 97.
Mr. Brehe was born July 18, 1914, in Washington, MO, just west of St. Louis. For 68 years he was married to Mildred Burnett Brehe. Both of them moved to Helena in 2005 to be near their son and his family. They lived at Touchmark, formerly the Waterford.
In his youth he worked on the family farm and planned to go to college. The Great Depression intervened and instead he started working as a salesman in St. Louis. Most of his career was with the J.C. Penney Co., beginning as a sales associate and eventually advancing to store manager positions. He managed stores in Wauseka IL, Richmond KY, Marietta OH, and built the J.C. Penney Store in Lima OH in the 1960’s, one of the company’s larger stores at the time.
Mr. Brehe involved himself in each of these communities. In Lima he served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, chaired the United Way Campaign, and was president of the Rotary Club. While in Marietta and Richmond he also served in the Chamber, Rotary, and the United Way. Mr. Brehe served his local churches in many ways, especially on finance and building committees. In Helena, he was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church. His partner in all these ventures was his wife, Mildred, who preceded him in death two years ago.
He was an avid golfer and had the chance to play the Old Course in Scotland several times. Most of all he enjoyed a casual game with family and friends. On the last hole of his last round three years ago he drove his ball to the center of the green on the short course at Fox Ridge. He drained the 20-foot putt for a birdie to end his golfing career.
During World War II Mr. Brehe served in the South Pacific with the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Sergeant. Family members found a stash of letters he had written to his young bride, Mildred, each colorfully illustrated, much like Charlie Russell’s postcards and letters.
He cherished family connections. Every summer Mr. Brehe would make a family pilgrimage to the home farm in Washington MO and his wife’s home in Jefferson City. He and his wife raised two boys, Steve and Jim. After he retired from Penney’s, Mr. and Mrs. Brehe moved to Defiance OH to be close to their son Jim and his wife Priscilla and grandson, Nelson. When Jim died at age 33, both of them continued to cherish their role as grandparents and were always there to support Nelson. Later they developed a deep bond with William Pixler who had married Priscilla and adopted Nelson. While in Defiance they owned and operated a small dry goods store.
He is survived by the Very Rev. Stephen (Jacqueline) Brehe of Helena; Priscilla (William) Pixler of Defiance; and three grandchildren: Nelson Pixler of Toledo OH, Matthew Brehe (Katy) of Seattle WA, and Nathan Brehe of Helena. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, a sister, and a son, James Burnett Brehe.
Family members are especially grateful for the Touchmark staff, Hospice of St. Peter’s, and the Rev. David Andersen of Covenant United Methodist Church.
Services will be Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. at Covenant United Methodist Church. There will be a reception afterwards at the Touchmark Retirement Community in the Forum. Mr. Brehe’s mortal remains will be placed in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, next to his beloved Mildred.
Memorials may be sent to Covenant United Methodist Church in Helena, Hospice of St. Peter’s, or charity of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Helen Richter says
To Steve and family:
I was sorry to learn that your father passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy
Helen Richter
John Dake says
My family lived down 4th St. in Marietta from the Brehes. Son Jim was childhood friend. So sorry to see of his passing. Sympathies to the Brehe family on Mel’s passing. What a wonderful long life!
Mary Lou Potts says
Thinking of you in your loss. They attended the services we held on the 3rd Sunday of the month faithfully & were always an encouragement to everyone they talked to. I know I will meet up with them some day “on the other side”!!
VIckie Rauser says
Steve & Family,
My sincere condolences to all of you on the loss of your father, father-in-law, grandfather. Holding you in prayer during this sorrowful time.