Walter Leroy Brown

Walter L. Brown, 81 of Columbus, died Tuesday morning peacefully at his home. Walter was born 11-29-33 in Johnson County, the son of Edgar and Mae Thomas Brown. He married Nancy Ann Phares on 8-10-57 and she survives.

After graduation from Edinburgh High School, Walter served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1954 during the Korean War. He served 4 years Active Duty and 4 years Reserve Duty and was honorably discharged with rank of Airman 1st Class. He received the National Defense Medal; Honor-Fidelity-Efficiency Medal for Good Conduct; Korean Service Medal, USA; United Nations Korean Award for Services in Defense of the Principles of the Charter of the United Nations; and the Korean War Service Medal presented September 21, 2002 by Consul General, The Honorable Kyu-ho Choo of the Republic of Korea located Chicago, Congressman Steve Buyer, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Anthony J. Principi and USAF (Ret) Major General Bob Tanguy.

Walter worked all his adult life in farm operations 1954-2015; owning and renting farm ground in the Elizabethtown and Hope area. He farmed the Springer Farm at Elizabethtown for 50 years and was in the process of retiring from farming operations. He was the proud owner and operator of his John Deere equipment, including tractors and his favorite combine. He always drove GMC or Chevy trucks.

Walter served as President of the Elizabethtown Town Board for 3 years and helped oversee the installation of water and sewer service to the residents of Elizabethtown. He served as Deputy Marshall of Elizabethtown for 2 years, as a volunteer firefighter for the Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department, and previously ran for County Commissioner and County Sheriff on the Democratic Ticket. He was a long time member of the Democrat Party, the VFW, American Legion, attended the Bible Church of Columbus and former member of Moose Lodge.

Walter is survived by his wife of 58 years, former Mayor, Nancy Ann Brown; a daughter Diane (Craig) Hawes, all of Columbus; two grandchildren, Anthony (Marie) Halberstadt, Hope and Angela Halberstadt, Columbus; great grandchildren, Elyzabeth Halberstadt, Edinburgh, Shyanne Halberstadt, Hope and Destiny Halberstadt, Hope; step great grandchild, Kyle Turner, Hope; a brother, Horace (Ruth) Brown, Franklin and a sister, Rosemary (Robert) Thompson, Columbus. He was preceded in death siblings Carl, Ralph, William, Barbara, Phillip, Donald.

The funeral service for Walter will be Monday at 10:30 a. m. in Myers-Reed Chapel with Rev. Jerry K. Day officiating. Burial will follow in Garland Brook Cemetery with Military rites by the honor guard from Wright Patterson Air Base and Bartholomew County honor guard. Calling will be from 3-6:00 Sunday and one hour prior to the service Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. Online condolences may be sent to Walter’s family at www.myers-reed.co.