Robert F Brown

06/ 27/1930 - 09/07/2018

Robert (Bob) Franklin Brown, 88, passed away on September 7, 2018 at Warsaw Meadows

Care Center, Alzheimer’s Unit, in Warsaw, Indiana. Bob was born on June 27,1930 in Muncie,

Indiana, to his birth mother, Orabelle Whistle, then later placed in the Delaware County

Children’s Home orphanage, after which he was later adopted by Frank and Pauline (Franklin)

Brown. After Frank’s untimely death, Pauline remarried Corliss Babcock, who became his

stepfather. Bob spent his entire life in Muncie with the exception of his end of life care, and

service in the Navy.

Bob was employed at Borg Warner Automotive (Warner Gear) for 46 years until his retirement.in

1994, interrupted only for the years he served in the Navy. While at Warner Gear, he worked in

the Quality Control Department as Salvage Inspector, and in earlier years, played basketball for

Warner Gear’s team in the YMCA Industrial League. After retirement, Bob then went to work for

the Cedarbridge Treatment Center (formerly Muncie Reception and Diagnostic Center) as a

Juvenile Transport Officer for 15 years.

In his younger days, Bob was a former member of the Main Street United Methodist Church for

25 years, where he participated on the basketball, softball and bowling teams for the church.

Bob was also a member of the Muncie DeMolay. He was employed at the old YMCA in the

Boy’s Department, where he also played basketball for the Junior and Senior “Y Cardinals” and

was selected to the All State Team for the Junior Cardinals. Bob coined the phrase “Petty’s

Boys” for coach H.A. Pettyjohn, whom Bob played for and admired greatly. Bob also swam for

the Muncie YMCA in the Junior Olympics, holding several pool records for his age group. His

swimming coach was Moulton Fulmer, who Bob highly regarded, and who also taught him how

to swim.

Bob Graduated in 1948 from Muncie Central High School, after which he spent 4 years in the

U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He received several citations and awards, including the

Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal,

and the Navy Good Conduct Medal. Prior to his deployment to the war, Bob spent 2 years at the

U.S. Naval Air Station in San Diego, California, where he spent extra curricular time swimming,

playing basketball, football and softball. He then spent 2 years aboard the heavy cruiser, USS

Bremerton (CA-130), being the last ship to leave Wonsan Harbor after the Korean War

Armistice (truce) was signed. After spending two 9 month tours of duty in Korea, the USS

Bremerton then sailed to Formosa (Taiwan). While there, Bob’s basketball skills paid off, as he

was a member of the ship’s basketball team that played a practice game against the Formosa

Olympic Team.

Bob was active within the Muncie community throughout the years. He along with his beloved

wife Eleanor (Jo), and friends Dick and Pauline Dailey, ran the Muncie Park Department’s

concession stands for several years, starting in 1963. These included Tuhey Pool, Heekin Park,

and the Prairie Creek Lake swimming area. During this time, Bob was also a member of the Phi

Delta Kappa (Theta Chapter) social fraternity, where in 1963 he served as president. In addition,

and during the ‘60’s, Bob officiated basketball for the Central Athletic Officials Association for

many years. He followed politics and contributed to his party by serving twice as a Republican

Precinct Committeeman. In years following, Bob was a member of the Warner Gear Employee’s

Federal Credit Union/PrimeTrust nominating committee for 22 years, and with his wife Jo, was

an 8 year member of the Yorktown High School Band Boosters, as well as in later years, a

volunteer at the Ball State University Alumni Center. In addition to his community activities,

Bob also held many memberships. These include Muncie Lodge #433 F.& A.M. (Life Member),

Indianapolis Valley Scottish Rite (Life Member), Muncie Elks #245, American Legion Post #19

(Life Member), AMVETS, V.F.W., U.S. Navy Cruiser Sailors Association (Life Member), NAS

San Diego Reunion Group, U.S. Navy Memorial, and Local #287 Warner Gear Sympathy Club.

Along with his wife Jo, he was also a member of the Ball State Faculty and Staff Sympathy

Club, and the Ball State Cardinal Varsity Club.

Prior to the onset of the ravishes of Alzheimer’s, Bob was an extremely avid sports enthusiast.

His hobbies included watching and attending sporting events, especially Ball State Basketball

and Football, where “Brownie” had an impossible time containing his overenthusiasm, being

heard hollering and refereeing from the stands-much to the chagrin of his wife Jo, with humor

and at times we imagine, certain exasperation of other fans, team members, and coaches! He

also looked forward to his weekly Saturday morning breakfast meeting with friends. He liked

working in the yard and garden too. Bob occasionally traveled, and with his wife Jo, enjoyed

Navy reunions, and yearly family reunion trips to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, spending time

with his daughters and their families.

Preceding Robert in death by 9 weeks, was his loving wife of 60 years, Eleanor Joan (Mason)

Brown. Also preceding Robert in death were his adoptive parents, Frank and Pauline Brown, his

stepfather Corliss Babcock, his stepsister Marjorie (Babcock) Ferratt, his birth mother Orabelle

(Whistle) Porchie, and his half brother Lonnie Verle Porchie. Father in law Walter Mason and

mother in law Elizabeth (Dunn) Mason preceded him in death as well. Robert’s birth father also

preceded him in death, however until recently, his identity was not known. Due to the new

discovery of his identity, his name will respectfully be withheld for privacy.

Those survived by Robert include his two daughters, Julia K. Craig (Larry), Houston, TX, and

Susan L. Soehnel (Joseph), Port Orange, FL, and grandchildren Dustin J. Soehnel, Erin A.

Soehnel, and Taylor A. Craig Flori (Ryan). Two step nieces, Marianne Harris, and Martha

Flowers (Don), Two step nephews, Tom Ferratt (Debbie) and John Ferratt with many step great

nieces and step great nephews and their families. He is also survived by Brother in law Donald

Mason (Marlene), and their children Michelle (Mason) Nelson and Scott Mason & family.

A very small funeral service was held at Elm Ridge Funeral Home & Memorial Park on

September 19, 2018, followed privately by his entombment in the mausoleum. Both a Masonic

memorial service as well as a traditional service were performed. The Final Salute with Full

Military Honors was performed, with the folding of the flag followed by the presentation of the

flag to Julia Craig. Taps was played followed by the traditional three rifle volleys. The rifle shells

were also collected and received in a presentation pouch by Julia as well, which was tucked

within the keepsake flag.

A special mention of gratitude to Mrs. Alma Craig, Jim & Gretchen Schneider, Carol & Dave

Thompson, Thelma & the late Tom Eulitt, Pete & Amy Olsen, Maryann & Bob Robinson, and

Attorney Mark Ervin for their guidance, support and friendship to our family.