Vernon C Brown

PEKIN ~ Vernon Clarence Brown, 91, of 1802 Alva Drive, passed away at 5:09 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2009 at Pekin Hospital. It is with great sadness, we say goodbye to a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend who left our presence.

Born June 16, 1918 in Effingham to Thomas and Flossie (Smith) Brown, he married M. Lucille Kimmons on December 23, 1939 in Saint Louis, Missouri. They were married for 69 wonderful years.

Surviving are his wife; one son, Jack (Dianna) Brown of Henry; one daughter, Suzie (John) Sorenson of Mapleton; five grandchildren, Ann (Chris) Staley of New Jersey, Jeff Sorenson of Glasford, Heidi Sorenson of Bartonville, Jeremy Brown of Morton, and Lisa (Mark) Kawolsky of Glasford; seven great-grandchildren Kevin Staley, Katherine Staley, Patrick Staley, Thomas Staley, Johnny Sorenson, Kennedy Kawolsky, and Kage Kawolsky; and one brother, Thomas (Jenny) Brown of Rolling Meadows.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Joan.

A United States Navy veteran of World War II, he served from 1944 to 1946. He was assigned to the USS Wasp during Pearl Harbor.

Vernon worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 38 years, retiring in 1982 as a tool grinder at the Mossville plant.

He was a proud member of the First Baptist Church of Pekin and looked forward to participating in many of their events. He also was a member and past president of the United Auto Workers Local 974 Retirees; Caterpillar Retirees Club where he was a former chaplain and board member; and a 50 year member of Empire Masonic Lodge #126 AF & AM in Pekin, where he was Master in 1960.

Vernon loved spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed keeping up with all the local high school teams as well as the professional teams. Vernon will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2009at the First Baptist Church in Pekin. Pastor Brad Martin will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, where Masonic rites will be held at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 700 South Capitol Street, Pekin, IL 61554.