Barry and Sue Brown

Barry Cummins Brown, 87, passed away peacefully on Oct. 24 at Hope Network in E. Lansing, MI. His wife of 40 years, Sue Rohrs Brown, peacefully passed away on Oct. 25, at Hospice House of MI in Lansing.

Barry was born May 18, 1931 in Detroit, to Robert and Martha (Cummins) Brown. He graduated from Wayne State University, Juris Doctorate, with distinction. His distinguished career as a labor arbitrator included: Attorney for Chrysler Corporation; Director, Michigan Department of Labor; partner for McGinty, Brown, Jakubiak, Frankland, and Hitch in E. Lansing; and chosen by former Governor Jennifer Granholm to sit on the Blue Ribbon Committee to settle the Northern Michigan nurses union labor dispute. He loved scuba diving, boating, his dogs, and MSU Basketball.

Sue was born in Defiance, Ohio to John and Ruth Rohrs. She graduated from Bowling Green State University, and went on to receive her Masters Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Michigan State University. A lifelong volunteer and community philanthropist, Sue was an active participant in the Chamber of Commerce, the Junior League of Lansing, Impression 5 Science Center, Strive Organization, and various educational foundations. She loved to read, travel with family, cook, watch Ohio State football, and spend time with her husband, family, and dogs in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Her door was always open to family, friends, and strangers. She always had a pot of chili on the stove and hot cider to share.

They were preceded in death by their parents, and Sue's sister, Nancy Newlove.

They will be lovingly remembered by their children, Lynn (Marty) Neher, Jaime (Todd) Hall, Beverly (Branyo) Kasper, Barry (Tracey) Brown, Michelle (Doug) Mikatarian, Meredith Durgin, and Leslie (Erik) Durgin; 15 grandchildren, Aubrey, Alicia, Anthony, Leigh, Alison, Shawn, Keegan, Kaitlin, Kendra, Daniella, Luka, Carson, Tucker, Carley, and Eva; a great-grandchild, June; Sue's brother, John Rohrs (Leah); Sue's sisters, Peggy Dorta (Angelo) and Judy Scott (Dave); and many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

A Memorial Gathering for Barry and Sue will be held on Tues., October 30 from 5-7pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Gr. River Ave., E. Lansing. A service & time of sharing will be held at 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sparrow Hospice, Hope Network Rehab. Services of East Lansing, or the Capital Area Humane Society.