J. Gerald “Brownie” Brown, age 87, of Greenfield, passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at Morristown Manor. Born on June 15, 1923, in Hancock County, Ind., he was the son of John W. and Elizabeth Josephine (Tucker) Brown.
Brownie graduated from Morristown High School in 1941 and married Ruth L. Ray on June 29, 1946. They were married for 60 years before Ruth passed away in 2006. Brownie worked for Eli Lilly for 25 years before retiring in 1987. He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion #102 in Morristown, a member of the Fountaintown Christian Church, and a lifelong farmer of Shelby and Hancock County, Ind.
Mr. Brown was a veteran of the United States Navy who served during WWII. He was an avid antique tractor collector and a collector of other farm antiques. He also enjoyed working on lawn and garden tractors, going to tractor shows, and spending time with his friends and family.
Surviving him are his daughter, Nancy Jo (David) Moore of Lynn, Ind.; sisters, Geraldine (Robert) Nigh of Shelbyville and Virginia Lou (Hugh) John of Greenfield; grandchildren, Gretchen (Edward Parsons) Smith of Fountain City, Ind., and Todd Moore of Lynn, Ind.; and great-grandchildren; Megan and Evan.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Ruth L. Brown; parents; and brothers, Edward LeRoy Brown and John G. Brown.
Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2011, at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the mortuary. Burial will take place at New Palestine Cemetery.
Mr. Brown’s family would like to send a special thank you to Springhurst Health Campus and Morristown Manor for their kind hearts and special care of their beloved father and grandfather, Brownie.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Morristown Alumni, PO Box 327, Morristown, Indiana, 46161, or to the American Legion in Morristown, 339 W. Main St., Morristown, IN, 46161. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
