Robert Brown

Robert H. Brown, 87, of rural Decatur passed away Monday morning, June 12th, at the family home where he was born on August 18, 1929, the youngest child of Marshall Asbury and Eleanor Ann Hill Brown. He was the youngest of eight children, six boys and two girls and spent the majority of his years living on the family farm where his father was born and died.Mr. Brown was a 1947 graduate of Blue Mound High School. He proudly served his country as a member of the US Army during the Korean Conflict where he attained the rank of Corporal.A lifelong farmer and member of the Macon County Farm Bureau, he was a proud steward of the land entrusted to him from previous generations. In addition to farming, he spent many years shelling corn and pushing snow throughout Central Illinois and numerous young people worked for him and his brother throughout the years baling hay, walking beans and helping with planting and harvest. He also operated a trucking company and was recognized in 2002 as the longest continuous member of the Midwest Trucking Association.A life-long Methodist, he grew up at Chapel Church which later joined with Zion to become Zion Chapel. He married Roberta Mae Wall on August 7, 1955, at Zion Chapel Methodist Church where he and Roberta were active members and raised their family. His was a life made up of faith, family and farming and throughout the years, the three were closely intertwined.He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Roberta, and his three children, Crystal Ann Brown Robinson of Oswego, Mark Henry Brown (Heni) of St. Louis and Jeffrey (Amy) Brown of Rural Blue Mound. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, William Brown, Brice Robert and Connor Hill Robinson of Oswego, Henry Taylor, Christian Takacs and Georgia Carin Brown of St. Louis and Marshall Robert and Walker Mitchell Brown of Blue Mound. His sister, Eleanor Anne Brown Pistorius survives as well as his sisters-in-law, Betty Jean Brown and Barbara Wall. Some of his favorite memories were of the time spent with his nieces and nephews and they, along with many great nieces, nephews and several cousins also survive him.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold Marshall, Ira Hill, Byron Burdette, Carroll Frances and Richard Eugene, his sister, Elizabeth Laura, brothers-in-law Eugene Wall, John William Pistorius and Richard E. Morris and sisters-in-law, June Brown, Imogene Brown, Nitelle Brown and Evelyn Brown and his son-in-law Brian R. Robinson in 2008 and his granddaughter, Faith Elizabeth Robinson, in 2013.A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 15 at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home on Oakland Avenue in Decatur. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 16, at Zion Chapel United Methodist Church near Boody, at 4:00 p.m. A private family burial at Brown Cemetery will precede the service at the church.Memorials may be directed to Zion Chapel United Methodist Church or donor’s choice. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, aids, friends and family who helped in the final days of his life. "
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