Brown, Willis Everett 1877-1953

BROWN, KELLER, MILLHOLLIN, NOYES

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/14/2012 at 13:01:47

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Sept. 21, 1953

EVERETT BROWN RITES HELD WEDNESDAY

Wednesday afternoon funeral rites for Willis Everett Brown, 77, Grinnell carpenter, were held at Smith funeral home, conducted by the Rev. W.F. Overhulser of the Methodist church. Mrs. Rhee Auman offered organ selections.

Pallbearers were Hiram Broyles, Bill French, Tom Godfrey, Herb Hutchison, Harlan Inman and Jim McNally. Burial was in Hazelwood cemetery.

Mr. Brown passed away early Sunday in Iowa City where he had undergone surgery.

WILLIS EVERETT BROWN

Willlis Everett Brown, son of Samuel and Sarah J. Brown was born on January 24th, 1877, on a farm north of Guernsey, Iowa. He was the second oldest son in a family of three brothers, one sister, and one half-sister. Two of these have preceded him in death. He was 76 years, 7 months, 21 days of age.

Mr. Brown attended the grade schools in Guernsey and graduated from high school in Brooklyn. He took post graduate work in the Grinnell High School and then attended Grinnell College.

On December 7, 1902 he was united in marriage to Vida Rose Keller of Deep River, Iowa. She was the loyal and loving mother in their home and to them were born nine children. Four of the children died when infants and the five others are living at the present time. Mrs. Brown died on December 4, 1951 here in Grinnell. The sons and daughters who survive are Mrs. Thressa Millhollin of Grinnell; Ura C. Brown of Sidney, Nebraska; George L. Brown of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; Ellis L. Brown of Grinnell; and Fred S. Brown of Omaha; two brothers Ray T. Brown of Santa Ana, Calif. and James Orris Brown of Hunington Park Cal. There is one sister, Mrs. Vera Moyes of Arlington Heights, Ill.

Mr. Brown was a faithful member of and a regular attendant of the Methodist Church. He loved to attend the meetings of his Sunday School class when he could and was a careful student of the scriptures. For over fifty years he worked as a carpenter in Grinnell and took great pride in his careful workmanship. Many of the buildings in Grinnell stand as monuments to his ability. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. Everett had a wide circle of friends both in the church and through his working connections. He was a friend to all and maintained an interest in the better things of life right up to the last few days of his life. He will be long remembered and greatly missed but all will agree that he leaves behind him a rich heritage of good deeds and high ideals.