Charles Robert "Bob" Brown Zephyrhills, FL Charles "Bob" Brown passed into his Savior's arms on December 19, 2013, in Zephyrhills, Florida, where he wintered each year. He was born July 31, 1923, to Wayland and Ona Margaret (Dawson) Brown in Lawton, Michigan. Bob attended Battle Creek Public Schools, graduating with the 2002 Central High Class under the Veterans of WWII Act. He joined the US Navy in 1943, serving on a destroyer escort with an honorable discharge in 1946. In 1948, joined the US Army serving in Germany and Korea, where he was a Tank Commander attaining the rank of SSG (E-6) until his honorable discharge in 1956. He went on serving his country in the National Guard in Kalamazoo, Michigan until 1964. Bob was awarded many medals during his military service including a Purple Heart. He was a life member of the Order Purple Heart Association, American Legion Post 298 in Battle Creek, MI, and the VFW Post 7956 in Augusta, Michigan. He loved to hunt and fish in earlier years, He sang for various functions and was a former member of the S.P.E.B.S.Q.A. in Battle Creek and Zephyrhills. He attended God's House church in Battle Creek, MI, and was a charter member of Corner Stone Baptist Church during the winter months in Zephyrhills, Florida. Bob retired from Clark Equipment Co. in Battle Creek, MI. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; brother, Donald (Patricia) Brown of Battle Creek; daughter, Cathleen (Everett) Mort of Kalamazoo; step-sons, Frederick (Tracey) Brown, Raymond (Rosa) Brown (US Army) of Battle Creek, John (Bonnie) Smith (US Army) of Grandville, James Carroll of Kalamazoo; step-daughter, Cristine Carroll of Battle Creek; grandchildren, Lorena Mort of Kalamazoo, Amanda Mort of Colorado Springs, CO, Christina Brown of Detroit, MI, Fred Emery and Greg Brown of Battle Creek, MI, Miguel (Sarah) Brown (US Marines) of Toledo, OH; 6 step-grandsons; 10 great grandsons; 4 step granddaughters; 2 step-great-granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, Wayland and Ona Margaret (Dawson) Brown; brothers, Carl and Jesse; sisters, Annabelle and Ona; son, Charles R. Brown Jr.; daughters Gabriel and Wendy; and former wife, Mary (Cleveland) Brown. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service was held with Military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI.

Published in Battle Creek Enquirer on June 11, 2014 Page A4 col. 3