Mr. Donald Brown

Mr. Donald Brown, 92, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away at 4:25 am Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Heartland Health Care Rehabilitation.

He was born on March 25, 1926, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Stuart and Paula Braunlich Brown of Aledo, Illinois.

He spent his first 18 years on the family farm at the east edge of Aledo, attended a one-room school, lived through the Great Depression, and graduated from Aledo High School. After serving for two years in the Navy aboard a Landing Craft Tank (LCT) in the Western Pacific during WWII, he returned to graduate from Iowa State.

At Iowa State he met Nancy Hamann of Davenport. They married on November 28, 1953. His wife of 65 years, Nancy survives, also surviving are their three children: Mark Brown of Sandy, Utah, Jane (Joel) Greer of Round Rock, Texas and David (Kari) Brown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and four grandchildren: Cecilia Brown of Los Angeles, California; Mitchell Brown, of Tempe, Arizona; Evan Greer of Round Rock, Texas; Jaydon Brown of Minneapolis. Donald is preceded in death by his parents and his two younger brothers, Ned and Wayne.

Don and Nancy farmed for 11 years in Mercer and Knox Counties. He spent 22 years at Kirk’s Construction Company, Galesburg, building grain systems on farms and commercial elevators. He then worked for Johnson Building Systems, Galesburg for 15 years, retiring in January, 2000.

Don and Nancy enjoyed extensive travels. They preferred study tours, such as Elderhostel, during their visits to 30 countries and most US States. Donald was active in a number of organizations including: Mercer County Farm Bureau, the Knox County Pork Producers, the Presbyterian churches in Aledo and Galesburg, Knox County YMCA, ILLOWA Boy Scout council, Galesburg Barbershop chorus, Galesburg Camera Club, and Nielson School Reading Buddy. The Browns worked with the Knox College program to host foreign students, and they hosted two Rotary Youth Exchange students. Don was a 48 year member of the Galesburg Rotary Club.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Don’s life will be held 11:00 am Monday, March 4, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Shawn Smith will officiate. Family will receive friends following the service at the church. At Don’s request, his body was donated to the Mayo Clinic for scientific study. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Galesburg Rotary Club Foundation’s Rotary Youth Exchange Fund. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com

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