Murray A. Bruer, mayor of Truesdale, died at his home on Saturday. He was 76 years old.

Bruer was battling cancer. He had overcome multiple previous cancer diagnoses and had been in remission, before it returned. He had surgery June 11 because of complications from the illness.

A visitation for Murray Bruer will be held Thursday, July 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton. Another visitation will be Friday, July 7, at 9 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Truesdale.

A funeral mass will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Holy Rosary.

Truesdale Mayor

During his time as mayor, Bruer was widely involved in economic development in Truesdale and throughout the surrounding area. He served as a board member and former chairman for the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission, which aids in securing grants for public projects. Bruer also was involved in the establishment of the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council. 

He presided over the reinstatement of Truesdale’s 63380 ZIP code after more than 30 years, restoring lost sales tax revenue and other fees the city wasn’t receiving.

Most recently, Bruer had been helping coordinate a regional celebration of the heritage of railroads in the area, which is planned for October.

Before Bruer’s death, the mayors of Truesdale’s two neighboring cities, Warrenton and Wright City, met in Truesdale to recognize Bruer’s contributions to the entire region.

“Murray A. Bruer has devoted over 10 years of service for the good of the citizens of not only Truesdale, but the citizens of Warren County and the cities in Warren County,” states a proclamation signed by Warrenton Mayor Eric Schleuter and Wright City Mayor David Heiliger. “Bruer was always there to lend a helping hand to other local governments and their officials, and was at the forefront on the forming of the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council.

“On behalf of the citizens of the communities of Warren County, we would like to honor and thank Murray A. Bruer for a job well done and for the services he provided to the communities.”

Bruer became mayor of Truesdale in 2008, when he was appointed to fill the position vacated by former Mayor Ray Gibson. Prior to that he served as president of the Truesdale Board of Aldermen. He was re-elected to a two-year term as mayor in April.

Finding a Replacement

City Administrator MaryLou Rainwater said board of aldermen President Chris Watson will serve as acting mayor until the board appoints a replacement. The new mayor will serve until next April, when the city will hold an election to fulfill the remaining year of Bruer’s term.

If Watson or one of the city’s other aldermen is appointed as mayor, the new mayor will nominate a replacement for their board seat, who will then need approval from the remaining aldermen.