Bob Brown, 83

Robert E. Brown, age 83, of Burr Oak, Mich., passed away early Sunday morning, Feb. 22, 2015, at his home. He was born Sept. 6, 1931, in Sturgis, Mich., son of the late Charles and Irene ( Bordner) Brown. Bob was a lifelong resident of the Sturgis and Burr Oak area and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1949. On Jan. 30, 1954, he married the love of his life, Peggy VanDeventer at the Colon United Methodist Church in Colon, Mich.

Bob’s last place of retirement was from A- 1 Storage in Sturgis. Prior to joining A- 1 Storage he retired from retail sales. He was also a farmer and carpenter and had owned and operated White Pigeon Implement in White Pigeon.

Bob was proud to have served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean War from May 4, 1954 to March 24, 1956 earning the rank of SP3. Most of his service he was stationed in France.

Bob was an active and dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church where he served on numerous boards and committees including starting the pancake breakfasts, serving as youth leader for many years and spearheading some of the renovation projects needed in the church. He was extremely active in the Grange, being a member and past Master of the Burr Oak and Pomona Grange and the State Grange. Another great involvement he had was the St. Joseph County Grange Fair where he was a past president of the Fair Board and he was inducted into the St. Joseph County Grange Fair Hall of Fame. He will be remembered as the face of the community tent. He was a member and past Secretary of the Burr Oak Chamber of Commerce. With his involvement in the Chamber he worked tirelessly during the Burr Oak Days. Bob was honored as Burr Oak Citizen of the Year in 2011.

He enjoyed working on the annual Caravan at the fairgrounds, woodworking, camping and gardening, caring for his orchard and helping others whenever he could. Many will miss his pancake making skills, at his church or at the fair. Bob was an active man involved in many organizations and always giving his time to others but what he truly loved was time spent with his family.

He is survived by two daughters, Lori Leth of Shelbyville, Tenn. and Sheri ( Craig) Marshall of Highland Village, Texas; two sons, James ( Teresa) Brown of Sturgis and Steve ( Stacy) Brown of Senoia, Ga.; nine grandchildren, Andy, Michael, Rachelle, Sara, Ethan, Colton, Tisha, Stephen and Robert; 14 great- grandchildren; one great- great- grandchild; one brother, Charles ( Alice) Brown of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; sister- in- law, Evelyn Brown of Cadillac, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; granddaughter, Michelle; great- grandson, Carson; and brother, Bill Brown.

The family will receive friends from 4- 8 p. m. Tuesday at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269- 651- 2331. Funeral services celebrating the life of Robert E. Brown will be held at 11 a. m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Jean Koughn and Pastor Robert Keim will officiate. Full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post # 1355 VFW and the U. S. Army Honor Guard. In accordance with Bob’s wishes cremation will follow the service. Private burial of the ashes will take place at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon at a later date.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Brown’s memory consider the First United Methodist Church, 200 Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091, Hospice of Sturgis, P. O. Box 126, Sturgis, MI 49091 or the Michigan State Grange Foundation P. O. Box 84, North Star, MI 48862.

The obituary is also at www. hackmanfamilyfuneralhome. com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.