Eugene Brown, 87

Eugene Harold Brown, 87, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek. He was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 18, 1924 the son of Carl and Helen (Reist) Brown and graduated from Three Rivers High School. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII, fighting in Europe, and was taken as a prisoner of war by German troops. After the war he worked at Checker Motors in Kalamazoo and for several area companies as a machinist. Eugene enjoyed building and racing cars at Galesburg, Kalamazoo and Mottville. After retirement, he operated Gene’s Antique Store in Three Rivers.

Eugene was first married to E. Kathleen Smith on July 29, 1945 in St. Joseph. Kathleen Brown died in 1985. He was married to Alice (Phillips) Stricker in 1988. Alice “Polly” Brown died in 2010. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Kenneth Brown and Harold “Butch” Brown; and by two step-daughters, Ellen Stricker and Jeanelle Middleton.

Eugene is survived by a son, Steve (Barbara) Brown of Three Rivers; step-children, Wally, Lloyd and Darrell Stricker; grandsons, Kenneth C. Brown, Harold Brown II and Nicholas Brown; granddaughters, Lisa Marie, Shelli Ann, Crystal and Tiffany.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26 at the funeral home with Rev. Tim Moore of Bethany Chapel officiating. Military rites will be provided by the American Legion Hice-Shutes Post #170. Cremation will follow services and a private interment of ashes will take place later in Mendon Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice. An online register is available and condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com.