David E. Blum

David Edward “Butch” Blum was born in St. Louis on August 1, 1954 a son to David Lee and Helen Pearl (nee Roth) Blum.  He died at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis on March 6, 2020 at the age of 65.  He is survived by his father who lives in Herculaneum; his wife of 32 years Mary Ann (nee Schlett) Blum of De Soto; his children: Jennifer Elaine (Charles, Jr.) Kidwell, De Soto, Corey Edward Blum, Valles Mines, Molly Elizabeth (Fernando) Vega, Hillsboro, and Matthew Edward (Katy) Blum, Valles Mines; his sisters: Karen Sue (Gary) Robinson, Festus and Beverly Ann (Mike) Walker, Festus; seven grandchildren: Caroline, Samantha, Charles, Cruz, Audrey, Marcella, and Bella; and sisters and brothers-in-law: Karen  (Dan) Wood, De Soto, Diane (Richard) Gonzales, Hillsboro, Michael (Sandie) Schlett, Biloxi, MS, Jeannie (Don) Goff, De Soto, William (Crezilda) Schlett, Rineyville, KY, Sara (Heath) Allison, Festus, Jeff Schlett, Crystal City, Glenda Schlett, Festus, Juanita (Tom) Kindred, Birmingham, AL, Bradley Schlett, De Soto, Sasha Schlett, St. Louis, Shirley Schlett, St. Peters, and Andrea Jones, Cedar Hill.  He is preceded in death by his mother and mother and father-in-law Kathleen (nee Long) and Al Schlett.  He had served a leader of Cub Scout Troop #406 and Boy Scout Troop #406, was a member of the Festus Elks Lodge and the M.A.C. Kicks Band and had received the John Phillips Sousa Award in 1972.  He enjoyed playing music, camping and riding four-wheelers.  On the first day of August 1954, Helen and Dave Blum welcomed their first child into the world, and his mother proclaimed him to be “big butch of a baby”. That nickname stuck for his whole life. You may have known him as Dave or Butch. You may have had another name for him, like Dad, or Grandpa, or Pepaw, or Uncle Butchie.  You might have known him from work, or from playing music, or from scouts. No matter where you may have crossed paths with Dave you left with a smile.  Dave enjoyed telling stories about his youth. For example, his kids know that when he was a kid, “white milk was a penny and chocolate milk was two,”  and he supposedly carried his trumpet uphill both ways to school in the snow.  In elementary school, he and a friend used to write and illustrate mini-books and sell them to friends and neighbors hoping to hit it big someday.  He loved classic TV and The Beatles, and shared his favorite shows and music with his children.  He especially loved The Three Stooges, and started his own collection of them when he bought his first VCR, recording them on Saturday nights.  Dave was a talented musician, joining his first band at the age of 13 playing piano.  He played the trumpet in the Herculaneum High School band.  He decided to major in music at Mineral Area College.  Through the years his musical talent expanded and he learned several other instruments.  He made lifelong friendships with other musicians and entertained thousands of people with the gift of his instrumental and vocal music.  One of the greatest thrills of his life was performing with the renowned bandleader and trumpet player Doc Severinsen as a member of the MAC Kick band.  His first career move was with Olsten contractors, who placed him at Dow Chemical, where his dad worked.  He  eventually was hired at Dow and worked at several areas of the plant.  When technology began to develop and move quickly, he jumped in with both feet and earned certifications, learned programs, and helped develop the IT department.  Family was important to Dave.  He lived near his parents in Herculaneum for many years before moving to De Soto.  He made time for family dinners, celebrations and parties.  He and Mary Ann hosted many Fourth of July parties and enjoyed having friends and family, and friends who were like family, over to the house for swimming and barbecues.  They love to camp together and to ride side-by-sides like his beloved General.  The most important to him were his wife, his four kids and their spouses, and his seven grandkids.  He was know for imparting wisdom to them, and even as adults his kids repeat the lessons that they heard from him.  “Did you learn a lesson from this?” “Bet you wont’t do that again.”   Their favorite was Don’t Do Stupid Stuff,”  which he eventually shortened to Double D, Double S,” an acronym they use with each other still.  Dave is already missed by all who knew him.  There have been many sad times this week, but for every moment that brought tears, there were immediately tenfold more that brought tears from laughter and left everyone with a smile.  Although his keyboards will be put away, his guitar in the case, and the world a little quieter without him each day, his music and lyrics live on in the world through us.  His last wisdom to us. . . Sing, make music, enjoy your family. . . double D, double S.  As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Mineral Area College Music Department, P.O. Box 1000, Park Hills, MO 63601.