Joseph Hensley Brading

Joseph Hensley Brading, age 98, of Wentzville, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. He was born in Ashmore, Illinois, on August 24, 1921, to Bert and Marguerite Brading (nee Hensley).

Joseph's long life was filled with many adventures, from his early childhood in Ashmore, Illinois, to his time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Wentzville, Missouri. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor that began the American involvement in World War II, Joe enlisted in the Army and rose to the rank of First Sergeant Major. He served in many of the major battles/campaigns in the European theater including Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Upon the end of the war, Joe returned to St. Louis and soon met Alice Mae Haug of St. Louis, who became his wife in September 1950; the couple raised five children who spanned 21 years in age, and enjoyed a long marriage of 43 years until Alice's death on September 10, 1993.

Throughout Joe's life, he had a variety of hobbies and passions, including gardening, camping, boating and biking. His green thumb was evident in everything from the incredible watermelons and the huge strawberry patch he grew in the back of his home with his wife and children on Garden Lane in Maryland Heights to the stunning flower displays that brightened the front of his family home on Radcliffe Ave. in University City each spring and summer. Many of his summers were spent on Wappaperllo Lake and Kentucky lake teaching his children and grandchildren how to waterski and drive a boat, with KMOX broadcasting the games of the St. Louis Cardinals in the background. Long after his retirement, Joe took up biking and could often be seen traveling via bicycle throughout the streets of St. Louis County for hours each day. The involvement in these hobbies may be part of the secret to his longevity.

Joseph is survived by his children, Carol (Ronald) Nilges, Steven (Sharon Wycoff) Brading, Christine (Paul) Miller, Kelly (Colin) Novack, Rebecca Brading (Joshua Alt), David (Christine) Brading, and Joyce Berding (Richard Polumbo); 23 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 2 great great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by many other family members and friends.

Visitation will be from 12:30 pm until 2:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, Missouri 63376 (636-875-1200). Interment will be private.

Memorial contribution in Joseph's name may be made out to the VFW Post, #2866, 66 V F W Ln, St Charles, MO 63303.

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