James Brasel

James E. “Dude” Brasel, age 59 of Beardstown, died Saturday, March 13, 2021 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

He was born September 20, 1961 in Beardstown the son of William Dan Brasel and Sarah Royer Avery. He married Pamela Fisher and they later divorced.

He is survived by his daughter Whitney Brasel of Springfield; a brother William Robert “Bill” (wife Pat) of Missouri; and his best friend Randy Robeson of Beardstown.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents Everett O. Royer & Edith Knowles, two sisters Lynn Brasel Bless and Catherine Jean Landes, and his dog Elvis.

Dude graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1979. He served as a Corporal in the United States Army 101st Airborne. He returned to Beardstown and managed the Beardstown Elks Lodge #1007, which he was currently a member, and a life-time member of A.F. & A.M. Cass Lodge #23. Dude’s career followed in his mother’s footsteps. In 1969, she was the first female EMT for Beardstown Ambulance Service.  He devoted over 30 years with the Beardstown Fire and Ambulance and retired in 2015 as Ambulance Chief. He upgraded the Beardstown Ambulance Service from Basic Life Support (BLS) to Advanced Life Support (ALS). The ambulance service as it exists in Beardstown today is due to his efforts and hard work.  He also was an instructor for many EMT Basic and Intermediate classes.

Dude enjoyed hunting, cooking, and perfecting his pot of chili for cookoffs. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved spending time at Sugar Creek Island with his “SWAT” Team. Dude’s contagious smile and personality would light up any room he was in.

A memorial service will be held at Noon Friday, March 19, 2021 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown with Pastor Mike Courson officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia with Military Honors conducted by Guthrie-Peirce VFW Post #1239. The family will meet with friends from 4:30-7:00 PM Thursday at the memorial home.

Due to the current health situation, face masks will be required and to comply with social distancing guidelines, a limited number of people will be allowed in the memorial home at one time.

Memorials have been suggested to Beardstown Fire and Ambulance or Beardstown Elks Lodge #1007. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.