Luther Disher

Luther "Ed" Disher
Rosewood Heights - Luther "Ed" Disher, 94, of Rosewood Heights, passed away the day after Easter, Monday, April 18, 2022. He was born in Monclova County, Ohio to Luther Jacob and Nancy Dora Disher. He was preceded in death by all his siblings including a twin who was stillborn, Mary Anna(Disher) Hart of Creve Coeur, Missouri, Henry Maurice of Sacramento, California, David Luther(Pete) of East Alton, Illinois and Eva Grace (Disher)Cowan of Alton, Illinois. He was married to Geneva Margaret Disher for 75 years who preceded him in death.
Ed left a lasting legacy in his 32 descendants: 3 children: Margaret Ann (Robert) Leone of Forsyth, MO; Deborah Kay(deceased) and David Bextermueller of St. Peters, MO; Terry Edward (Kathy) Disher of Rosewood Heights, Illinois. 11 grandchildren: Kathryne Marie(Katie) who was born on Ed's birthday, Elijah Morning Star(Tobie), Grace Bernadette(Matt), Francis Daniel Jacob, Patrick Edward, Lisa Elaine(Brent), Monica Lynn(Steve), Courtney Renee(Joel), Joshua Jeremiah(Niki), John Zachary(deceased) and Timothy Ryan(Annie). 18 great grandchildren: Savannah Grace, Jacob Daniel, Christopher Thyme, Joshua Gabriel, Kaleb Vann, Amelia Frances, Charlie Adeline, Cole Nathanial, Grace HanaLei Elizabeth, Skai Ann Walker, Izabella Gracious, Eliza Tiffany(Clay), Kyle Zachary, Jacob Jeremiah, Samantha Nicole, Becca Lynn, Kaylie Ann, and Lilly Marie. The Disher family includes Ed's cousins, aunts and uncles and his parent's cousins, aunts and uncles which number in the hundreds easily. It was to the homes of extended family where vacations were spent eating, talking and laughing the days away.
Ed was a United States Coast Guard Veteran stationed in Alaska. He was a well-respected expert at fixing radios, televisions and small appliances for many years to help support his family.
The young family spent Sundays on the river in a 21 foot Chris Craft inboard cabin cruiser on the Mississippi River south of Grafton and north of Alton. The children were well schooled in swimming and the stories of the Piasa Bird, as at that time the painting was on the limestone bluffs just north of the Alton flour mill.
Ed also had a love for go karts and had two of them he used near his folk's home on the rarely traveled roads around Shipman. That is how to this day he has a ten inch metal plate and ten screws in his leg.
Ed retired from Owens-Illinois Glass Works as a Precision Tool and Die Maker. His attention to detail was obvious in everything he did. While there he formed many friendships with the guys in the shop. It was there that he and two others (both deceased) formed the idea of a remote control boat club which later became the St. Louis Admirals. There are many boats that would not be running if not for his knowledge of wiring and electronics. He shared his knowledge and love of small water craft with family and anyone standing on the banks of the water willing to listen and learn while he sailed the RC boat. A lifelong friend of Ed and Geneva's was part of these good times who is deceased, Jane Rivers.
He loved his wife's cooking and was especially proud of her cookies and her ability to fry up the fish he caught just the way he liked it. Needless to say, Ed was an avid fisherman. He taught his children to fish with casting reels and passed on his love of bass, blue gill and crappy. No bobbins for this crew of anglers! In his last days he wanted to be at his grandson Tim's house on the dock fishin'.
When his children were grown and out of the house he and Geneva enjoyed auctions and could be seen at many an auction bidding, laughing like children and eating pie from the bakers there.
Ed's first child (Meg) was born on his Dad's birthday and that daughter gave him what he called the best birthday present ever. His first grandchild (Katie) was born on his birthday, how very rare to have four people and two birthdays.
He was a big supporter of the St Louis Zoo thru the Marlin Perkins Society for many years and bricks and bronze blocks bearing family names are inside the main gate not far from the bronze seals. A baby Lemur at the zoo was named Luther in his honor. There was never a lost creature or human being that didn't touch Ed and Geneva's heart. This also extended to people in their lives. Many people "adopted" Ed and Geneva, calling them Mom and Dad to this day.
Ed was in the process of building a lasting legacy to his wife at the Treehouse Wildlife Center, which will be known as the Luther and Geneva Disher Educational Center. He was drawing up ideas for construction and encouraged major fundraisers to assist in planning and construction. In his last days he loved sitting under a tree there and listening to the birds, especially watching the eagles. A recently injured rehabbing turkey vulture has been named Luther Edward in his honor.
"A Black Swamp Family" written by Aunt Dorothy Rose Disher speaks of the Disher's as hard working, kind and compassionate people. His children and descendants are a reflection of the values of that family who cleared the land and drained the swamp in the 1800's not far from Toledo, Ohio.
A Memorial is planned for both Ed and Geneva at the Treehouse Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be immediately following at Valhalla Cemetery just up the road. Cremation services entrusted to Paynic Home for Funerals in Rosewood Heights.