contributed by Larry Toler

Delbert DeWitt Brown, 84, a resident of Vienna, passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday evening July 21, 1999, at 10:35 p.m. at Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna.
    Delbert, who was a descendant of the earliest settlers in Johnson County, was born on Jan. 16, 1915, in the Boles community.  He was the son of Clyde DeWitt Brown and Avis (Howells) Brown.
    Delbert was united in marriage to Mary Vera (Jones) on July 4, 1935, at Marion.  She preceded him in death in 1992.  Delbert was united in marriage to Edith (Evers) Thornton on Aug. 13, 1993.  She survives and resides at the Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna.
    Other survivors include one daughter, Rosi Huff of Garden Grove, Calif.; two grandsons, David Edwin Brown, and his wife Angel of Vero Beach, Fla. And David Michael Huff, and his wife, Heidi of Culver City, Calif.; one granddaughter, Sharon Tessem, and her husband, Vidar of Steinkjer, Norway; five great-grandchildren, Melissa, David, Daniel, Crystal, and Brandon; one brother, Phonzie Brown of East Prairie, Mo.; two sisters, Maxine Ferguson of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Wilma Gwinn of Tulsa, Okla.
    In addition to his parents and wife, Mary, Delbert was preceded in death by one son, Delbert Edwin Brown.
    Delbert received his education in the Johnson County Public Schools. He attended McKendree College and Southern Illinois University.  Delbert's early work career was in the field of education.
    Delbert was a carpenter and master plumber.  He was involved in the construction of many homes and was nationally recognized as a master woodworker.  Delbert retired in 1965.
    He and Mary made their home on a farm near West Vienna, later moving to Vienna.
    Delbert was a member of the former West Vienna United Methodist Church and was later affiliated with the Vienna United Methodist Church.  While at the West Vienna United Methodist Church, Delbert designed and supervised the building of the new church building, served as a trustee, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, lay leader and lay speaker.  He also served on the board of trustees of the Vienna First United Methodist Church, was director of the Eagle House Ministries and the Hew Hope Boys Ranch, served on the Vienna Public Library, and was a noted local historian and member of the Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society.  Delbert was a member and past-master of Vienna Masonic Lodge no. 150 AF & AM.
    Delbert served as a staff sergeant in the Illinois Army National Guard.
    Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at the Vienna First United Methodist Church.  The Rev. Ed Hoke, Rev. Alan Milligan and Rev. Marion Mosley will officiate.  Burial will be in the Mount Pisgah Cemetery.  Visitation will be today from 7 a.m. to noon at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna and from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service at the church.
    Memorials may be made to the Eagle house Ministries or to the Vienna Public Library.  Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The Southern Illinoisan
Sunday, July 24, 1999