Labor Day 2020, our first Labor Day without our loved ones who passed this year of COVID-19. Below are the deaths that I know about of Union members in St. Louis who died of this virus.

Scroll down for our local St. Louis healthcare workers lost to COVID-19.

Angel Marie Dampier

Angel Marie Dampier

Angel Marie Dampier died of COVID-19 on June 10, 2020 at the age of 40. She was a direct care worker for over 13 years at South County Habilitation Center in Mehlville MO and leaves behind a young son and husband. Angel is remembered by her friends as being a loving and dedicated mother, and she always had something to smile about.
Ralph Struckhoff

Ralph Struckhoff

Ralph Struckhoff died of COVID-19 on September 11th, 2020 at the age of 74. As far as he or his family knew he was perfectly healthy and had the body and mind of someone much younger. He and his wife were looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in October (and many more happy anniversaries after that), but now they cannot. Ralph served our country in the U.S. Army from 1965-1967 after which he married the love of his life, Jayne. They settled in Augusta where they raised their two children while he worked worked as a Union carpenter. He was always there to help a neighbor with a home project, listen to a friend, or to spend quality time making memories with his grandkids.
Billie “Jack” McDermott

Billie “Jack” McDermott

Billie "Jack" McDermott of Bethalto Illinois died of COVID-19 after a lengthy battle with the virus on September 4, 2020 at Alton Memorial Hospital. He was 81.Billie proudly served our country in the National Guard and retired from Laclede Steel after 42 years as an electrician. He was a member of the United Steel Workers Union and served as a shop steward for many years. He was a lifetime Democrat and a member of various Church of Christ churches. Especially in his retirement, Billie enjoyed watching his grandsons in their sports, spending time at Lake of the Ozarks, fishing, family pets, and watching old westerns. Billie McDermott is missed deeply by his wife of 59 years, his two children, grandchildren, family, extended family and all his friends.
Randy Tite

Randy Tite

Paul “Randy” Tite of Brighton, Illinois died from Covid-19 on September 9, 2020 at Alton Memorial Hospital. He was 74 years old. Randy worked as a laborer for Labor Local #338 in Wood River and raised three kids with his wife Brenda, who he married right after high-school in 1964. He was a star pitcher on softball leagues, inducted into the USA Softball Hall of Fame MVP in 1975, and also loved fishing.
Howard W. Marshall

Howard W. Marshall

Howard Marshall passed of COVID-19 on April 10, 2020 in his room at Frontier Health and Rehabilitation in St. Charles. Although he had Alzheimers and couldn't use the phone by himself, he still recognized his family and used a wheelchair to get around. Howard Marshall belonged to the Carpenter’s Union Local #1310 and worked installing floors until his retirement. He loved watching documentaries, fishing, working on his car, and helping his friends out. He was known for being a gentle, kind, man. He's missed deeply by his children, stepchildren, extended family, and large circle of friends.
Katherine Louise Bronson – retired welder

Katherine Louise Bronson – retired welder

Katherine Bronson, retired welder and an excellent cook, died peacefully of COVID-19 on May 20, 2020 at aged 96. She was active in her church and was known for being witty and direct. Katherine is missed by her friends and staff at Ascension Living, her church family, and her extended family.
John Keith Vernier

John Keith Vernier

John Vernier, a 62 year old Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis died of COVID-19 on January 12, 2021. John was retired from the US Navy where he served for 21 years on submarines and served during Operation Desert Storm. After retiring from the military, John went back to school for his RN degree, and took a few classes with his daughter Christine who was also in nursing school. John had a true helper's heart and was always there at any time for his family, friends, and coworkers.He had three daughters with his wife of 37 years, and LOVED being a grandpa. John was looking forward to retiring from his second career and enjoying more family time.
Jason Moss

Jason Moss

Jason Moss died from complications of COVID-19 on January 20, 2021 at the age of 52. His body had cleared the coronavirus, but could not recover from the devastating effects of the disease. It was up and down for a long time, with 49 days on ECMO and almost two months on a ventilator. He fought hard but suffered from two strokes in his brain, and his body shut down for the last time. Jason grew up in Collinsville IL, traveled the world in the Navy, then came back to St. Louis and graduated from St. Louis University with a bachelor's degree. He most recently worked administration and analysis for a local hospital. His pride and joy of his life was his three sons, triplets, born in 2005. He was a Boy Scout Leader and poured his heart into being the best father in the world.
Angela R. Jones

Angela R. Jones

This memorial is unedited, as written by her family: Angela Renee Jones, 53, passed on May 9, 2020 after contracting COVID-19. Angela Renee Jones was born on January 26, 1967 in Saint Louis, Missouri. Angela belongs to a large family and an even bigger blended family. Angela was affectionately known as "Cookie" and also later as "Cook Book" and "Auntie Cookie".Angela was a proud graduate of Soldan High School. She kept in close contact with her fellow classmates and she loved to attend alumni events. After graduating from Soldan in 1985, Angela attended Southeast Missouri State University where she studied Accounting. She also attended Saint Louis Community College where she studied nursing. Angela earned her certification in Phlebotomy and she worked for the Saint Louis Red Cross for over 10 years. Angela always did her part to help serve others. Angela had a rare blood type and she regularly donated her blood. Angela later worked for United Health Care Group for 13 years until she contracted COVID-19. Angela always made the time to volunteer and serve in her community. She would often thank others for giving her the opportunity to serve.
Angel Marie Dampier

Angel Marie Dampier

Angel Marie Dampier died of COVID-19 on June 10, 2020 at the age of 40. She was a direct care worker for over 13 years at South County Habilitation Center in Mehlville MO and leaves behind a young son and husband. Angel is remembered by her friends as being a loving and dedicated mother, and she always had something to smile about.
Dr. Edward P. Rose

Dr. Edward P. Rose

Dr. Edward P. Rose died of COVID-19 on September 20, 2020 at the age of 74. He was a practicing rheumatologist in Belleville IL until contracting coronavirus, refusing to abandon his patients even though retirement was suggested in March. A polio survivor, Ed devoted his life to his family, science, and service. Ed is remembered as being quiet and unwaveringly stable, although he loved a noisy home with children running around playing. He loved hosting raucous dinner parties with plenty of wine and comfort food, passionate disagreements, laughter, and story-telling. Ed taught his kids to play chess, water ski, follow through on commitments and the values of philanthropy, travel, and enjoying simple pleasures. Dr. Edward P. Rose is deeply missed by his wife of 47 years, 7 kids, 20 grandchildren, extended family, the many friends he made in life, and his patients.
Dr. Ruth Louise Beckmann Murray, EdD, MSN, RN, CS, N-NAP, DAPA

Dr. Ruth Louise Beckmann Murray, EdD, MSN, RN, CS, N-NAP, DAPA

Dr. Ruth Louise Beckmann Murray passed from complications of COVID-19 and pneumonia on June 25, 2020. Her 40 year career in the nursing department at St. Louis University included roles as a Program Coordinator, Psychiatric-Mental Health Professor for Undergraduate & Graduate Nursing Education, and textbook author. Dr. Ruth Beckmann Murray inspired and guided thousands of nursing students in their professional paths as Nurses, helped thousands more in her various other helping roles, and reached countless through her publications and community advocacy. She mentored and profoundly touched many lives personally, as the memories posted on her obituary describe. Her vibrancy, kindness, and love are missed far beyond her immediate and extended family.
Brenda Susan Schaeg

Brenda Susan Schaeg

Brenda Susan Schaeg (nee St. Onge) died of COVID-19 on April 28. She worked as a receptionist at Bethesda Meadow Skilled Nursing Facility in Ellisville, MO. She was known for making extra time to visit with the residents, considered them her friends, and often socialized with them when she was not on the clock. Her coworkers looked forward to coming to work on the shifts that Brenda was scheduled.
Jenniffer Anderson-Davis – Nurse working at Meramec Bluffs senior living community in Ballwin (St. Louis County)

Jenniffer Anderson-Davis – Nurse working at Meramec Bluffs senior living community in Ballwin (St. Louis County)

Jenniffer Anderson-Davis was a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) living in Hazelwood and working at the Meramec Bluffs Life Plan Community in Ballwin (St. Louis County). She tested positive on April 9 and died of COVID-19 at home five days later on April 14th. Jeniffer worked hard as a single mom to three kids and gave them everything she could. She loved the residents that she cared for, her family, her friends and her church. She is missed very much by all of them.
Cynthia Whitfield, loving mother and St. Louis nursing home medical technician

Cynthia Whitfield, loving mother and St. Louis nursing home medical technician

Cynthia Whitfield was denied paid sick leave by the skilled care facility she worked at and went to work feeling ill. She worked up until the day before she was admitted to the hospital. Cynthia Whitfield leaves behind four children, her husband of over 40 years, family, friends, as well as leaving behind her underpaid coworkers, and a fucked up system.