WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Peg Brown, age 79, of Burr Oak, passed away early Tuesday evening, Dec. 10, 2013, at Indiana University Health Goshen Hospital in Goshen, Ind.
She was born Aug. 26, 1934, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Robert and Lucille (Sumney) VanDeventer.
Peg was a lifelong resident of the Colon, Sturgis and Burr Oak area and a graduate of Colon High School with the class of 1952.
On Jan. 30, 1954, she married Robert Brown at Colon United Methodist Church.
Peg was employed by Kirsch Company, Formed Tubes and Sturgis Hospital and for more than 30 years she was an Avon representative, earning the distinguished Presidents Club award each year of her involvement with Avon.
Peg was a very active and dedicated member of First United Methodist Church in Sturgis for 50 years. She served as the church’s secretary for many years and was involved in countless circles and groups in her church.
Peg was an active member of the Burr Oak Grange since 1958, Pomona Grange, State Grange and National Grange, serving as a national delegate for four years. The St. Joseph County Grange Fair was an important part of Peg’s life. For the past several years she managed the community tent. She and Bob were inducted into the St. Joseph County Grange Fair Hall of Fame.
Peg enjoyed sewing; one of her favorites was sewing American Girl Doll clothing, cooking, canning, gardening and crafts. Peg had many involvements and hobbies, but what she truly loved and appreciated was time with her family that she so dearly loved.
She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 59 years, Robert Brown; two daughters, Lori Leth of Shelbyville, Tenn., and Sheri (Craig) Marshall of Highland Village, Texas; two sons, James (Teresa) Brown of Sturgis and Steven (Stacy) Brown of Senoia, Ga.; nine grandchildren, Andy, Michael, Rachelle, Sara, Ethan, Colton, Tisha, Stephen and Robert; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Susan (Robert) Foster of Sturgis; a brother, Chuck VanDeventer of Sturgis; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Michelle; and a great-grandson, Carson.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Peg Brown will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Deb Johnson and Pastor Robert Keim will officiate. In accordance with Peg’s wishes, cremation will follow the service. Private burial of the ashes will take place at a later date at the Lakeside Cemetery in Colon.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Brown’s memory consider First United Methodist Church, 200 Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Michigan State Grange Foundation c/o: Roland Winter, 15150 A Drive N., Marshall, MI 49068.
