Peter Thomas (Coaker) Brewster, 81, of Bellefontaine, passed away Saturday, July 3, 2021 at the Dayton VA Medical Center with his daughter by his side.
Peter was born May 4, 1940 in a bomb shelter during an active bombing raid in New Malden, Surrey, England to his father, who at the time was away on active duty, Sergeant Fredrick P. Coaker and mother Doreen A. Woods Coaker. His father died in 1942 while flying a B-17 Fortress for the Royal Air Force, he went on a flight mission and never returned. In 1944 his mother met her love and a dad for her child, Fredrick B. Brewster (deceased Feb. 16, 2018) and in August of that year they were married in London when she officially became Doreen A. Brewster (deceased Feb 3, 2012).
In 1945 his mother and dad headed for the United States. A year later Peter T. set sail on the SS Thomas for the United States of America. Peter T. stayed behind with his grandad and grand-mum and on his 6th birthday he arrived to meet his mom and dad. Together as a family they made their way to Logan County, Ohio and on September 20, 1946 he officially became Peter Thomas Brewster. Later the family welcomed his brother Michael (Terry) Brewster, of Russells Point, and his sister Judy (Jack, deceased Jan. 15, 2004) Weber (deceased Dec. 6, 2015) of Bellefontaine.
Peter T. graduated from Washington Local High School, Lewistown, Ohio on May 26, 1958. He enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1959 through 1965. During his time of service, he fought for his country, learned his love for traveling, received an education plus earned several service awards and medals that he never boasted about.
His working career was spent traveling the world and he often remarked that he had been everywhere but the North and South Poles. He liked telling stories of living in Vietnam as a civilian after the military, being one of the first few Americans to cross the Great Wall of China, his saltwater fish tank while living in Iran and the love he had for Kwajalein that he hoped to return to again and was fortunate enough to do so.
On February 29, 1976 he married the love of his life Leslie J. Wilson (deceased Dec. 4, 1999) and gained a step-daughter, Charlotte (Charles) Wendland of Hopatcong, New Jersey. He felt his family was complete with the addition of his daughter, his reason for everything, Kendra (James) Campbell of Bellefontaine.
In July 2010 his pride and joy, his grand baby Madalene Jo Campbell blessed him with her infectious smile and gave him a renewed zest for life. He looked forward to his time with her every day, wanted everything for her and nothing else for himself. In November 2018, he had the surprise of learning that he is the father of two sons. Troy (Robyn) Murfin of Denver, Colorado and Matthew “Hung Van Mac” (Kimberly) Howes of Spokane, Washington. With the addition of two proud sons also came three more grandchildren. Troy’s son, Nicholas Gordanier currently serving with the United States Marine Corps. Mathew’s son, Adam Howes and daughter, Lauren Howes both of Spokane, Washington.
Peter T. was a member of the Harold Kerr American Legion Post #173, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bellefontaine, and memberships with the ELKS, Moose, Eagles and AmVets all of Bellefontaine. He was an avid OSU Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns fan, proud of the fact that his family attended every Browns home game all through his high school years. He enjoyed building, fixing and tinkering with things in spare time as well as always completing the crossword puzzle in the daily newspaper.
A Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday, July 18, 2021, at Shoffstall Funeral Home, 205 S. Main Str., Lakeview, with visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. and Pastor Jeff Willetts will begin the service at 4 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Madalene Campbell Education Fund c/o Citizens Federal Savings and Loan, Bellefontaine or to The Fisher House, home away from home for families of veterans.
Services are in the care of Shoffstall Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at Shoffstallfuneralhome.com.