SOUTH WHITLEY – Donald E. Brown, 95, of South Whitley, died at 5:10 a.m. Sept. 1, 2011, in Covington Manor, Fort Wayne, where he was a resident for the past six weeks.
He was born April 6, 1916, in North Manchester, to William and Goldia Opal Brooks Brown. On Sept. 28, 1937, he married Berniece E. Meloy, who died Dec. 11, 2001.
He graduated from Silver Lake High School. He lived in Portland and later Fort Wayne until 1947 when he moved to South Whitley. He owned and operated Brown’s Garage and later Brown’s Excavating. From 1962-66 he served as Cleveland Township trustee. His was a member of South Whitley Lodge 510 Free and Accepted Masons for more than 50 years.
Surviving are two children, Larry R. (and spouse Connie) Brown, Columbia City, and Linda (and spouse Kurt) Schannep, South Whitley; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Thelma Scott, Warsaw. He also was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister, Mary Jane Freeman.
Service will be at 4 p.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to the Shrine Transportation Fund.
Condolences may be sent via www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com
