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Former St. Mary Mayor Gloria Bader Dies At 80

Gloria Bader, former St. Mary mayor and alderwoman, died Nov. 26 at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Festus, Missouri. She was 80 years old.

Bader was mayor of St. Mary from June 1, 2017 until June 2020, when she lost a special election to Carlton Wyatt. The two finished in a  37-37 tie in the June 2 election, but Bader lost  to Wyatt 58-45 in a special June 30 runoff election.

She had been on the Board of Aldermen since 2014, previous to becoming mayor.

Bader also owned and operated Bader’s Place in St. Mary for 46 years.

She was born August 19, 1940 in St. Louis and was married to Francis “Sonny” Bader on June 11, 1966. He survives her in St. Mary.

“I think she was one of the pillars of the community,” said former Alderman Clyde Cassoutt. “She was for the community; she cared about this town. I’ve known her since I was 7 years old and she’s always been a good person.”