David George Hartwig

Dave is survived by his two boys, David Jon Hartwig and Darren Jon (Judy) Hartwig; loving fiancee, Bonnie Baranyai; sister-in-law, Jan Moellering; cousins, Mike Hartwig, Nancy Francis, Dale Loerch, Kenneth Loerch, Gerald "Skip" Loerch, Kathleen VanMeter,

Joyce Raspess, and many, many dear friends.

Preceded in death were his parents David Lewis Hartwig and Edna Charlotte (Keller) Hartwig and wife of 58 years, Cheryl (Greb) Hartwig.

Dave graduated from the Maplewood Richmond Heights Senior High School in 1961.He attended Southeast Missouri State University until 1963 when he joined the U.S. Army where he served until 1969.

Dave continued his service by becoming a firefighter. He retired from the Brentwood Fire Department in 1998 after 32 years of service, with two of those years at the Maplewood Fire Department. While being a firefighter, Dave owned his own painting company for 30 years—Dave Hartwig & Father Painting.

AS a teenager, Dave became a member of the Maplewood DeMolay where he rose to the rank of Master Counselor. He then joined the Bonhomme Masonic Lodge and was currently a member of the Noble Lodge #684.

Becoming a Moolah Shriner was the next step where he was known as Buckles the Clown since completing the Clown College in 1982. Dave was president of the Moolah Clown Unit in 1990. He served on the Circus Committee for the Deaf at Moolah. He also belonged to the Tiger Shrine Club in Columbia, MO, and the Joachim Shrine Club in Arnold, MO.

Besides all of the Masonic organizations, Dave also belonged to the following groups: Crestwood Elks Lodge #2503 for 31 years; Manchester American Legion for 51 years; Missouri Firefighters; Hot Rod BBQ; and ROMEO—retired old men eating out.

Dave was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed fishing with his son, Darren. He enjoyed going to race car events with his son, David. Dave was also an excellent cook. He cooked for the men in the U.S. Army and at the Brentwood Fire Department.

Dave's loving, kind, generous, and fun-loving spirit will be missed by all who knew him. Buckles, be sure to pass out all of those 3-piece chicken dinners to the angels in Heaven.

In lieu Of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Shriners Children's St. Louis, Office of Philanthropy, 4400 Clayton Avenue , St. Louis, MO 63110.

Visitation will be held at Hoffmeister South County Chapel,1515 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63125, on Tuesday November 17, 2026 from 4-8 p.m. with a Masonic service at 7 p.m.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday November 18, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Hoffmeister South County Chapel.

Interment to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery