Walter Merle Brown

Walter Merle Brown, age 97, joined his wife in the presence of the Heavenly Father on July 21, 2016. He was born on September 21, 1918 in Danby Township, the oldest son of A. Burton and Minnie A. (Sayer) Brown.

Walter was a WWII veteran and was proud to have served his country. He was a corporal in HQ Battery 423rd FA Group which took him to the European African Middle Eastern theatre including Sicily and Italy. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 4090 in Portland and enjoyed participating in the Memorial Day and Independence Day parades.

He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour when he was overseas. He joined the Sebewa Corners United Methodist Church and later the Sunfield United Methodist Church. Upon his honorable discharge, Walter married Maxine J. Duffey on December 1, 1945. Following their retirement from the farm, they enjoyed spending winters in Texas, traveling and camping. After 63 years of marriage, Maxine passed away on January 29, 2009.

Mr. Brown was a life-long farmer, as well as owner/operator of Brown & Son Excavating. He served many years on the Sunfield/Sebewa/Danby Fire Board and was instrumental in planning the current Sunfield Fire Station and obtaining equipment for the department. Walter had a unique sense of humor. He never encountered a cookie, pie, or ice cream that he didn't like.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers Wendell and Weldon, sister Betty Duffey, sister-in-law Margaret, brother-in-law Bernard Duffey, and great grandson Travis Hoort.

Surviving are his five children Larry (Nancy) of Sunfield, Lynn (Mary) of Kentucky,  Donald of Sunfield, Marjory (Wade) Hampton of Missouri, and Carole (Mike) Beard of Portland; 12 grandchildren, 22 great- grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. He is also survived by his brother Wayne, sisters-in-law Jean and Roma as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at River Inn Adult Foster Care and Great Lakes Caring Hospice for their outstanding and compassionate care of Dad.

The family will receive friends and family on Monday, July 25, 2016 from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m.at the Sunfield United Methodist Church at 227 Logan Street. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 11a.m. at the church. Burial with military honors will be in Danby Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Sunfield United Methodist Church or Great Lakes Caring Hospice.

Visit www.rosierfuneralhome.com  to leave a condolence or light a candle in memory of Walter.

Arrangements were made by the Independent Family Owned Funeral Home in Sunfield: Rosier Funeral Home.

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