Ethric LaVern 'Brownie' Brown, the son of Irvin and Lucy Stevenson Brown was born June 4, 1920 in Brooks, Iowa. He passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at the Red Oak Rehab and Care Center, Red Oak, Iowa the age of 89 years and 1 month. Brownie lived most of his younger life in Corning, IA where he graduated from Corning High School. Following graduation, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp CCC, where he played the evening and morning bugle, along with taps. Brownie was united in marriage to Neeva L. Atkin on July 16, 1940 in Red Oak, IA. Brownie went to California, to work in the gold mines. Later, Neeva joined Brownie and they lived in the Tahoe National Forest area a few months, before making their home in Grass Valley, CA. Their daughter Karen was born in California. When the war began, they returned to Iowa and then moved to Omaha, NE, where Brownie worked at the Glenn L. Martin Bomber plant until being drafted. Their son William was born in Omaha. Brownie entered the U.S. Navy in l944, being honorably discharged in l946. Following his service, the family returned to Red Oak where Brownie worked 30 years for the Union Carbide Battery Company. He was also a partner in the Nishna Valley Marine in Red Oak from 1959 to 1960. Brownie always enjoyed boating, fishing and hunting pheasants. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a 60 year plus member of the American Legion Lorraine Post #67, both of Red Oak. Brownie was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Neeva Brown on June 8, 2004; daughter: Karen Ann Hunt; 2 sisters: Lula Beery and Nellie Crouse; and 3 brothers under the age of 3 years. Brownie is survived by his son: William Brown and wife Mary Sue of Ames, IA; 4 grandchildren: Clint Hunt and wife Carie of Red Oak, IA; Julie Wolfe and husband Pat of Red Oak, IA; David Hunt and wife Karen of Bourbonnais, IL; and Amy Strebe and husband Wayne of Copperas Cove, TX; an adopted granddaughter: Phyllis Heim and husband Ted of Colorado Springs, CO; 8 great-grandchildren: Chelbie, Cassandra & Christian Hunt; Tristan & Corbin Wolfe; Kolton & Kaiden Hunt, and Alyssa Strebe; other relatives and friends. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak Rev. Fred Pelicki, Officiating Visitation with the family present on Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home A memorial is being established in Brownie's name. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.