Obituaries
Remembering Don Essen
The longtime Ballwin business leader founded the West County Chamber of Commerce and ran a family car dealership for more than three decades.
The life and legacy of Don Essen, a Ballwin native who as "a husband, father, businessman, churchman, and civic leader "who played a significant role in the development of West St. Louis County," will be remembered Saturday at a funeral service in Ellisville.
Essen, a World War II veteran who went on to found the West County Chamber of Commerce in 1955, one year after he took over the family's car dealership, which existed as Don Essen Chevrolet until 1985, died September 25.
Essen chaired the 1983 study which led to the incorporation of the city of Wildwood and was chair of the St. Louis County Planning Commission from 1987 to 1991.
Visitation will be held Friday at Schrader Funeral Home (14960 Manchester Road) from 3 p.m.- 8 p.m. and Saturday at St. John's Church (15800 Manchester Road Ellisville) from 12 p.m- 1 p.m. Saturday. A funeral service follows at 1 p.m.
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