Esther Mae Brown

Her funeral service will be at 11:30 am on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Mennonite Church of Normal, where visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be left to Home Sweet Home Ministries, Mennonite Central Committee or the Nature Conservancy.

Esther was born on October 22, 1939 in Normal, a daughter to Aaron and Helen (Tallon) Leischner. She graduated from Normal Community High School in 1957. She married Bennie L. Brown on July 27, 1958. He survives in Downs.

Also surviving are her children, Paul (Dawn) Brown, Normal, Tom (Kim) Brown, Elk Grove Village, Janet (Mark) Gerber, Louisville, KY and Daniel (Patty) Brown, Troy, OH; sister, Erma Taylor, Sarasota, FL; grandchildren, Hannah Brown (Isaac Jacobson), Megan (Kevin) Huseth, Miriam (Andrew) Haman, Natalie Brown, Tim Brown, Joseph Schumacher, Andrea (Baryl Brandt) Brown, Clara Brown, Alice Brown and Edith Brown.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Herman “Whitey” Leischner.

Esther was a servant of her Christian faith and enjoyed spending her time volunteering at various Mennonite church activities. Being a wife and mother was very important to her and she loved caring for her family. She also liked feeding the birds, baking and sending her baked goods home with family. Esther had a unique sense of humor, which she never lost.

To share condolences with the family, or view her online tribute, please visit EastLawnMemorial.com