Rev. Robert E. Brown

Rev. Robert E. Brown, age 88, of New Era, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, September 29, 2018.  He was born November 8, 1929 in Lorain, Ohio, the son of Arthur and Olga (Schaechterle) Brown.

Bob enlisted in the Navy in 1948. While still in the Navy, he was drafted into the Army, and for a period of 6 months he officially served his country in both branches at the same time. Eventually he was honorably discharged from the Navy and continued to serve in Korea.  He was honorably discharged from the Army on October 24, 1952.   Bob married Regina "Jeann" Ryan on October 11, 1952, over 65 years ago.  He attended Cleary College in Ypsilanti, Concordia Teachers College, Eastern Michigan University, Kent State University, and Central Michigan University.

He was employed by Lutheran Mutual Life Insurance Company in Waverly, Iowa before becoming an elementary school teacher.  He taught at Taylor Center in suburban Detroit.  The following years found him teaching high school classes in Cleveland, Ohio and Petersburg, Michigan before coming to Shelby in 1966 to teach and coach at Shelby High School.  After twenty-eight years in education, Bob retired from the Shelby School District in 1984, and attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana to become a minister.  He was well-known for his singing voice in social situations as well as in church.  Bob was ordained in the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church.  Reverend Brown then served as a pastor for twenty-six years.  He served at Faith Lutheran in Whitehall, St. Stephens Lutheran in Benona, and also at several churches as their vacancy or interim pastor, including one year at Messiah Lutheran of Ewa Beach, Hawaii.  He also conducted a very personal ministry over the years, calling on shut-ins and conducting numerous weddings. 

Bob and Jeann enjoyed traveling during retirement and particularly enjoyed wintering in Hawaii for many years.  Six years ago, they visited China and were blessed to be able to take Bibles with them.   They gave one to a library and one to their hotel in Beijing and, in the evening, they walked through the local neighborhoods and put the rest in people’s mailboxes.

Despite all their travels, Bob and Jeann called Oceana county their home, whether at Stony Lake, Benona, or New Era.  They were known for their “open door” policy.  When former students and friends would stop by, they would be greeted by Bob’s voice booming through the screen door, “Come on in!” 

While Bob will certainly be remembered for his many accomplishments and years of work, many will remember being touched by his warm smile and his caring spirit.

He is survived by his wife, Jeann; his daughter, Patricia "Patti" Robinson of Delton, Michigan; son, Robert A. "Rob" (Linda) Brown of Fairbanks, Alaska; grandchildren, Robbi Brown, Ryan Brown, and Timothy Brown all of Fairbanks, Crystal Brown of Anchorage, Spencer Robinson of Delton;  sisters, Nancy Blake of Ashtabula, Ohio and Sandra (John) Brace of Ashtabula; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James (Beverly) Ryan, Dennis Ryan and Susan Craig; many nieces and nephews; and exchange student daughter, Chihiro Masuda Kusakabe of Yokohama, Japan.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Timothy. 

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 6th, 10 am at Faith Lutheran Church, 707 Alice Street in Whitehall, 49461.  The funeral service will follow at 11 am Saturday also at the church.  Interment will be in Benona Township Cemetery.  Please consider Faith Lutheran Church or St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 7410 W. Johnson Road, Shelby 49455 as a memorial. 

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