Eugene Wayne Brown

Eugene Wayne “Gene” Brown, 73, of Van Wert, died at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, January 22, 2012, at his residence.

He was born February 2, 1938, in Liberty Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Pearl Raymond and Laura Etta (Johnson) Brown. On July 28, 1983, in Findlay, he married Betty D. (Purk) Brown, who survives.

Other survivors include four children, Kelly (Tony Craig) Brown and Lisha (Roger) Miller, both of Van Wert, Arnold Brown of Lima and Troy Brown of Fort Wayne, Ind.; two stepchildren, Jeff (Kathy) Keller of Van Wert and Robin (Greg) Pruett of Ohio City; a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Brown of Van Wert; two brothers, Leland D. (Barbara) Brown and Herbert J. (Ginger) Brown, both of Van Wert; one sister, Dorothy (Roy) Marsee of St. Marys; seven grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and 15 stepgreat-grandchildren.

Five brothers, Buster A. Brown, Joseph E. Brown, Raymond R. Brown, Emmitt F. Brown and Arthur L. Brown; two sisters, Lela Leona Adelblue and D. Marcile Longwell; two stepdaughters, Karen Stahm and Lind Lou Fyffe; and a stepgrandson, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Ron Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City, with graveside military rites performed by the combined honors units of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Community Health Professionals-Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.cowanfuneralhome.com.