Local farmer and friend, Gabriel (with a fishing pole in his name) Burton Hirst of Milton, Iowa, formerly of Unionville, Missouri, completed his earthly life on June 17th, 2026, following a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Gabriel, best known as “Gabe”, was born on June 9th, 1983, to Douglas Eugene Hirst and Gloria Jeanne Wells(Hirst/Smith). He accepted the Lord as his Savior at an early age. Gabe graduated from Putnam County High School in Unionville, MO in 2002. The following year he received his welding diploma from Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.
Gabe worked as a welder in several cities in Missouri including Jefferson City, Kansas City, and Memphis. His last employment was with Zimmerman Truck Bodies in Cantril, Iowa, which he truly enjoyed. He had received specialized training in Cincinnati, Ohio, for his position, in which he was quite proud, but Gabe’s true love and passion was working with cattle. He worked at many sale barns in the tri-state area including Keosauqua Sales Co., Keoco Sale Barn (Sigourney, IA), Bloomfield Livestock Market, and Carthage Livestock Market (Carthage, IL). He loved gentling, sorting, and working the cattle on his family farm southeast of Milton. He had a true gift of knowing every head of cattle he cared for and could tell with one glance if one needed doctoring. Even in his last days of life, he longed to drive the pastures and check his cattle.
Those left to share his stories and cherish his memories are his mother and father (Robin); brother, Zachary (Tara) Hirst of Grain Valley, Missouri; and sister, Whitney Hirst of Unionville, Missouri. He was beloved “Uncle Gabe” to Schylar, Elyse, Harper, Isla, Hadley, and Walker. Also surviving are many aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends who felt like family.
Gabe was reunited in death with his maternal grandparents, Donald and Esther Wells of Milton, IA; paternal grandparents, Bud and Hazel Hirst of Unionville, MO; infant sister, Courtney Hirst; step-father, Stan Smith; step-grandparents, Keith and June Smith; step-sister, Kassie Smith; and his best friend and cattle partner, Bandit.
In accordance with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A celebration of his life was held at Fair View Barn on Van Buren County Fairgrounds in Keosauqua, Iowa on Friday June 26th, 2026, at 6:00P.M. with Weldon Becker officiating and Bill Goehring speaking. Following the service, family will be present to greet friends until 8:00 P.M at the barn. Gabe suggested memorials be made to benefit the FFA program at the Van Buren County Community Schools or the Van Buren County 4-H Program. Memorials may be brought to the celebration or mailed to the family at 1018 South 21st Street, Unionville, MO 63565. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
