Eric David Browder

Eric D. Browder, 43, of Smithton, Illinois, born March 26, 1973 in Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, passed away with his wife, sister, and best friend at his side on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.

Eric was a graduate of Collinsville High School class of 1991 and of B.A.C. (SWIC) with a degree in criminal justice class of 1994. He was working as a correctional officer with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department. Officer Browder was the secretary for the Fraternal Order of Police, a Corrections Academy instructor, SILEC instructor, Sheriff’s Department Range Master, and was recognized as Officer of the Year for 2015.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucy Browder, nee Guthrie, his grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.

Surviving are his loving wife of 11 years, Becky Browder, nee Valerius, a beautiful daughter, Josie Ella, father, Bill (Sara) Browder of Belleville, Illinois, a sister, Laura (Ed) Montgomery of Collinsville, Illinois, two, half-sisters; Patricia Travis of Texas, and Victoria (John) Fawcett of Montana, a grandmother-in-law Gunde Valerius of Belleville, Illinois; father and mother-in-law, James and Sherry Valerius of Belleville, Illinois; brothers and sisters-in-law; Brian (Jody) Valerius of Millstadt, Illinois and Brad (Julie) Valerius of Belleville, Illinois, nieces and nephews; Lucy, Livia, Troy, Greg, Ashley, Austin, Sydney, Quinton, and Braden, longtime friends; Shawn and Shayna Kueker as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Rama Suresh and the staff at Siteman Cancer Center South County, the nursing staff at Barnes Hospital 7900 Hall, BJC Hospice, and Smithton School for all their support. As well as Browder’s Brigade, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department.

Memorials are appreciated in lieu of flowers to the Josie Browder Education Fund at FCB Bank, Belleville, Illinois. Memories and expressions of condolences may also be made at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call 3 to 8 pm, Friday, June 17, 2016 at Lake View Funeral Home and from 9 to 10 am, Saturday, June 18, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, Illinois.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am, Saturday, June 18, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, Illinois with Fr. Mark Reyling officiating. Interment will be in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.