Kenneth J. Brown Sr.

Kenneth J. Brown Sr., 93, of Hazel Ave., Ellwood City, died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, at the Ellwood City Hospital, after a brief illness.

Born April 25, 1919, in Ellwood City to the late James and Orpha Cearfoss Brown.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Stoner Brown, who passed away on Feb. 13, 2009.

He was a member of the Free Methodist Church, but has been attending the Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Ellwood City. He retired in 1975 from the U.S. Steel in Ellwood City where he was an electrician. Ken was a decorated World War II veteran in the Army Air Corps. flying over 82 missions as a radio operator in a B-26. Receiving two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Flying Cross, he was inducted in the Hall of Valor at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in Oakland, Pittsburgh. Ken was a man of faith who loved the Lord, his family and his country. He was a lifelong learner, enjoyed playing the violin, flying, and assisting on his son’s dairy farm.

Survivors include his son, Kenneth (Judy) Brown Jr., Volant; daughters, Connie, (Rev. Philip) Chalfant, Sandy Lake and Linda (Chris) Thompson, Ellwood City; two sisters-in-law, Clara ‘Betsy’ Brown and Nellie Brown, both of Ellwood City; six grandchildren, Jeff Brown, Gerry Brown, Jennifer Collins, Melissa Short, Pamela Bindas, Gregory Chalfant and 10 great-grandchildren,

Besides his wife, Jean, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Dale Brown.

Friends will be received at the MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME, 200 Fountain Ave., Ellwood City, on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour before the service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Bell Memorial Church on Wednesday. Officiating will be Rev. Philip Chalfant and Rev. Derek Longbrake.

Interment and military honors will follow at the Portersville Church Cemetery.

Memorials in Ken’s name may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.

Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.