John Dennis Flavan

Flavan, John Dennis of St. Charles, MO, age 46, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, died Wednesday, March 25th after a valiant seven-year long battle against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). Devoted father of John Dennis, Jr., 18, and Matthew David, 16; son of David B. Flavan, Jr. and the late Martha Vatterott Flavan; grandson of the late David B. Flavan, MD and Lucy Moloney Flavan, and of the late Charles F. Vatterott and Jeanette Rutherford Vatterott; step-grandchild of Mary Patricia Dolan Vatterott; survived by his father and by brother, David B. Flavan III, and sisters Mary Clare LaBarge and Margaret (Peggy) Lucy Flavan; fiancee and best friend, Christine Shreffler, and numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Dennis graduated from DeSmet Jesuit High School, attended Creighton University and graduated from Saint Louis University. His love of aviation led him to become a corporate pilot and a flight instructor. He earned certifications as Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), both single engine (SEI) and multi-engine (MEI), and Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII). Dennis continued earning his ratings through Air Transport Pilot (ATP). And just for fun, he even got his multi-engine sea (MES) rating. He last worked as a pilot for Jet Corp. at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Chesterfield, MO. He also flew for Florida Air Transport, International Aero Services, Inc., Archway Aviation. Dennis was a former member of Greater St. Louis Flight Instructors Association and the Missouri Pilots Association. During his career, he also served as general manager of Noah's Ark Restaurant and Motor Inn and as a captain on the Spirit of St. Charles riverboat. Dennis was truly an amazing individual. His humor and positive attitude touched the lives of those who were lucky enough to know him. He was funny and thoughtful and he could do absolutely everything. He could pilot not only a plane, but a riverboat as well, and held professional licenses to do both. He loved to cook St. Louis' famous Noah's Ark clam chowder at their family-owned restaurant (although he found it easier to cook for 40 than for 4). He could repair anything, and tell a funny story while he was doing it. Dennis lived with ALS for seven years, longer than most people are able to fight the disease. It first took his movement, and later, his ability to communicate. It did not take his appreciation of a good joke; his fondness for his large, extended family; his desire to live as long as possible; and his complete love for his children. Dennis lived to see his two young boys grow to be young men, and his love for them was one of the things that kept him going. Services: Visitation Thursday March 26th from 4 to 7: p.m. at KRIEGSHAUSER WEST Funeral Home, located at 9450 Olive Blvd., Olivette, MO 63132. Funeral Mass on Friday, March 27th at 10 a.m. will be held at St. Peters Catholic Church, 1st Capitol and 2nd Street, St. Charles, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Dennis' name to the permanent endowment fund of the John Cook School of Business, Saint Louis University, DuBourg Hall, Room 319, One Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103-2097. www.slu.edu/ x13227.xml