Elmer R. Brown's Obituary
Elmer R. Brown, Jr. passed away in the early morning of November 11, 2012 with his loving wife Joan and devoted son Kirk by his side.
Elmer was born on September 2, 1931 to parents Elmer and Catherine Greager Brown in Shamokin, PA. He was predeceased by sisters Beverly and Doris and nephew Frank.
Raised in a coal mining family, Elmer graduated from Shamokin High School in 1949. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan Forcheski in 1953. He joined and served in the U. S. Navy in the early years of their marriage, where his service took him to the Mediterranean during the Korean War, aboard the USS Oriskany.
Elmer was the first in his family to go to college, earning his Associate degree from University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Accounting and Finance and his B.S. from Pennsylvania State University. He worked three jobs to put himself through school and support his family. He and Joan raised four sons and two daughters, instilling in them the strength of the Lord in their lives; the importance of a loving family and a strong work ethic.
After many years of hard work and loyal service at Albany International Co., Monophilment Plant, as comptroller, Elmer and his wife retired to the Rehoboth area in 1996 near their cousin Dolores (and her endearing dog Fu ).
Elmer enjoyed the beach and golfing for pleasure until he became legally blind as a result of Macular Degeneration. It was a God send that the Lions Club of Rehoboth and the Delaware Division of the Visually Impaired provided him with machines that enabled him to read and listen to many audio books.
He was an active member of New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Lewes and is fondly remembered for his robust storytelling, quick wit, and being an avid football fan, especially of his Penn State Nittany Lions.
Many note how endearing it was to see Elmer and Joan holding hands, as their unity and devotion to each other could never be missed.
Elmer is survived by his son Keith and his wife Rhonda of Monroe, N.C.; son Kevin and his wife Cathie of Venice, FL; son Kirk of Lewes, DE; son Kerry of Ashland, VA; daughter Michelle and husband Scott Rivet of Neenah, WI; and daughter Maria and husband Quintin Johnson of Georgetown, DE; 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday Nov. 16, 2012 at 8:45 AM at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3072 Savannah East Drive, Lewes, DE, where friends may visit beginning at 8:00 AM. Burial with Navy honors will follow at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, Millsboro, DE. Friends may also visit from 7 to 8 PM on Thursday Nov. 15, 2012 at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to: Lions Club of Rehoboth, P. O. Box 291, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971; New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3072 Savannah East Drive, Lewes, DE 19958 or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Please visit Mr. Brown's Life Memorial webpage and sign his online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com
PDF Printable Version
What’s your fondest memory of Elmer?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elmer?
Share a story where Elmer's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elmer you’ll never forget.
How did Elmer make you smile?