PATRICIA EILEEN (BRYNER) BREWER

Donald Richard “Don” Brewer Jr., 70, and Patricia Eileen “Patty” (Bryner) Brewer, 68, both of Farmington, PA, passed away tragically at home, on Thursday, January 23, 2025. 

Donald was born on March 2, 1954, in Connellsville, PA, to the late Donald Richard “Sparky” Brewer Sr. and the late Mary Dolores “Dolly” (Morgan) Brewer. 

Patricia was born on February 16, 1956, in Connellsville, PA, to the late Edwin Clifford Bryner Sr. and the late Patricia Dell (Handlin) Waldinger. 

In his earliest working years, Don worked at Bryner Lumber as a teenager. 

For 34 years, he was a dedicated, respected, and well-loved bus driver, having driven multiple generations of families on his bus. He never missed a day of work and truly loved and cared for all of the kids that he drove to and from school. He proudly drove for Spiker Bus Lines Inc., located in Gibbon Glade, PA. He thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent in the mornings there, having coffee and talking about music, with the owner, Lyndel Spiker. 

In his free time, he was an audiophile. His love of music carried over to all aspects of his life. His family has many fond memories of him related to music. Don taught himself to play the guitar; collected vinyl records; antique radios from the 1930’s and 1940’s and classic stereos; he also collected antique televisions as well as cars. 

He was a member of the Wharton Twp Hunting & Fishing Club. 

Patty was a homemaker, taking excellent care of her family. In her early working years, she worked as a CNA and then as a central supply clerk at Harmon House Health & Rehab in Mt. Pleasant, PA for ten years. She went on to work at Tom & Jerry’s Home Medical Service in Connellsville, PA as a supply clerk until the year 2000. 

She had a love of nursing and it was her life’s dream to become a nurse. In her forties, she was able to make that dream come true. It was her life’s calling; she was put on this Earth to care for people. Even before she was able to become a nurse, she spent time as a volunteer EMT; always seeking the opportunity to take care of others in need. 

In her spare time, she too loved music; was an avid reader; and was a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, most especially, of Jack Lambert. 

Don and Patty were married on June 5, 1974, and were married for fifty years until the time of their passing. Although times weren’t always easy, they both would have done anything to provide for their family. They always did their best with the cards that they were dealt. 

They both shared a tremendous love for their family and their loss has left a void that will be impossible to fill. 

They are survived by their four children, Donald R. (Mary) Brewer III, Mary C. (Eugene “Bunk”) Savage, Arthur L. (Mary M.) Brewer and Angela (Brian “Jello”) Wildey; four grandchildren, Trisha VanSickle, Travis Savage, Layne Brewer, and Izabella Brewer; three great-grandchildren, Aleah VanSickle, Adalynn VanSickle, and Michael VanSickle as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. 

Don is survived by two siblings, Diane Brewer and Dennis Brewer. 

Patty is survived by five siblings, Edwin C. (Diane) Bryner Jr., Connie Brown, Timothy Bryner, Charlene (John) Eutsey, and Charles Bryner. 

In addition to both sets of their parents, they were preceded in death by Patty’s brother, Alan Duane Bryner. 

Friends will be received at Burhans-Crouse Funeral Home, 28 Connellsville Street, Dunbar, PA, on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. the hour of service with Pastor Steve Davis officiating. 

Condolences for the family may be left at www.burhanscrousefuneralhome.com or, on the funeral home’s Facebook page, @burhanscrouse.  

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