Robert James Brown age 85 of Greenville passed away Monday April 6, 2015 at Metron of Belding. He was born on September 7, 1929 in Cannon Township, Kent County, Michigan the son of Samuel and Beatrice (Olger) Brown. Bob was retired from the R.J. Tower Corporation with more than 30 years of service and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was married on November 11, 1950 to Mary Jean Pakes and together they loved and raised their family in Greenville for over 64 years, where he enjoyed his yard work and gardening, woodworking, bowling and golfing. He really enjoyed the animals, whether his dogs or the pet squirrel at the cabin in Newaygo. One of his greatest accomplishments was receiving his Greenville High School diploma as an adult in 1997, after several years of retirement.
He was preceded in death by his brother Tom (Doris) Brown and sister, Jo Ellen Arnold.
He is survived by his wife Mary Jean Brown, their children, Kathy (Steve) Van Hoose, James Brown and Michael (Lisa) Brown, grandchildren, Cara Brown, Sara (Kevin) Andrews, Josh (Starr) Van Hoose, Meagan Brown, Zach Brown, Kevin (Sarah) Brown, 6 great grandchildren, brother, Ronald ( Lucina) Brown, sisters-in-law, Pat (Marv) Cumberworth and Delores Pakes and nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be on Wednesday April 15, 2015 at 11 AM from Hurst Funeral Home with Rev. Betsy Kamphuis of St. Paul Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM to 11 AM on Wednesday prior to the services and a private family burial will be in South Sidney Cemetery, Sheridan. Because of Bob’s love of animals, in lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to the Humane Society.
