August 9, 1937- August 28, 2022
Layton passed away peacefully, his family having the opportunity to share their love for him one last time.
Layton grew up in Creve Coeur, primarily a farming community during his childhood. There with his parents, Roy and Florence, and brother John, often helped by his cousin and best friend Jerry, he raised chickens, geese, rabbits, and had a horse named Skeets. He enjoyed gardening and had customers in the neighborhood who looked forward to purchasing his home grown vegetables and fresh eggs.
He enjoyed walking to school at Spoede School, a brand new 2 room school house. He often recalled his time there, impressed at a young age by the rotunda at the entrance. During the 50th anniversary celebration he was quite the celebrity with the students, having attended the first class of the new school in 1949.
He also had a love for music. At the age of 12 he began his career as an organist at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in Creve Coeur, Missouri. He took organ lessons from the Sisters at St. Monica Catholic Church and played services there as well.
After his graduation from Horton Watkins in Ladue, Layton entered the school Institute of music (now known as CASA) majoring in church music. For 55 years he served as a church organist / music director, and was the primary organist at Hoffmiester‘s Mortuary for 35 years.
Music was always a big part of Layton’s life. In his home he had his own pipe organ, three ranks, which occupied one of the bedrooms. When not practicing 4 to 5 hours a day, Layton was active in the American Guild of organists.
Layton loved his family and all of his grandchildren who are “perfect “. Like any grandfather he would gladly share his photos.
Dear father of Neal Breitweiser and Melanie (John) Griesedieck. Dear grandfather to Kayli and Alek Breitweiser, Blake (Chelsea Bressmer) and Ashley (Mark) van Beurden , dear great grandfather to Rylie and Addisyn Bressmer. Dear brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law, father-in-law and friend.
A Funeral Mass for Layton will be held Monday, September 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Saint Peter Catholic Church, 243 W. Argonne Drive, Kirkwood, MO 63122. Following the funeral mass will be a committal service at Oak Grove Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, 7800 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Louis, MO 63114.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kriegshausermortuary.com for the Breitweiser family.
