BROWN, Charles Terry "Charlie" --- 1960-2006

RICHEY, BROWN, WHITEHEAD

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/12/2012 at 11:47:44

Charles Brown

Funeral services for Charles T. Brown, 45, of Castalia, were held Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, at 11 a.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church at Castalia.

The Rev. Dave L. Lenth officiated. Organist was Marlys Hager. Casket bearers were: Mark Imoehl, Kevin Smith, Jamie Smith, Brandon Brown, Drew Whitehead, Tom Schultz, Jeff Szabo and Ronnie Schnuelle. Honorary casket bearers were: Harry Gerndt, Larry Brockway, Brock Willey, Mike Schmelzer, Kevin Wiltgen, Greg Szabo, Amber Whitehead, Taneasha Brown, Matt Cahoon and Mike Fitzpatrick. Burial was in the Pleasant View Cemetery at Castalia, with Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville in charge of arrangements.

Charles Terry "Charlie" Brown, was born July 15, 1960, at Charleston, Ill., to Charles William and Virginia L. (Richey) Brown. He passed away Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, in Winneshiek County Medical Center in Decorah. It was the exact same date that his father died, January 6, 1971.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church at Castalia. He attended the Postville High School and later received his GED from Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar. He was active in track during high school, and was an accomplished pole vaulter.

He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed hunting with his relatives and friends. He was active in the church at Castalia and served on various committees. A volunteer fireman, he also was presently serving on the City Council and was chairman of the Park Board in Castalia.

Some of his other interest included the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Cubs and NASCAR events. He was a sponsor and helped with the pit crew for Matt Cahoon, who raced at the Echo Valley Speedway at West Union. He enjoyed hosting cookouts for his friends where he was the chef.

He was employed by Swiss Valley at Luana for 25 years and owned his own lawn mowing business, CT Lawn Care. He had previously worked as a machine operator for the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad.

Survivors include his mother, Virginia Brown of Castalia; a sister, Sherry (Jim) Whitehead, Hudson; 2 brothers, Jerry Brown, and special friend Dawn Peterson, of Clermont, and Gary Brown of Ossian; 5 nieces and nephews; his special friends, Jim Chambers of Castalia and Cindy Thompson of Elkader; and aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his father, Charles William Brown, and a niece, Heather Brown.
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CASTALIA COUNCIL MEMBER BELIEVED IN HIS TOWN

Always taking pride in Castalia, Charles T. Brown, or Charlie, as he was known, was an avid promoter of his town. He said many times, "Castalia is a home of caring people." The community lost one of its caring residents when Brown passed away suddenly last week.

A current city councilman, Brown had been a member of the Castalia City Council since 1994. "If something needed to be done, he took care of it. He cared a great deal about kids and naturally the City Park was his project," said Castalia City Clerk Chris Bodensteiner. Brown was instrumental in the planning and construction of the handicapped accessible bathrooms, purchasing and maintaining playground equipment, keeping the park clean and the ball diamond in shape.

"To Charlie, Castalia residents were more than neighbors or friends. We were a part of his family," said Bodensteiner. "Whenever he had his light on you were welcome at his house," she added. Charlie was always helping someone in town, whether shoveling snow or starting a snow blower for the first season's snow. His "unofficial duties" included volunteering with city spring and fall clean-up days and keeping the brush and tree limbs maintained.

"Charlie mowed lawn for a new resident when they weren't able to do it. When asked what they owed, Charlie's answer was "Nothing. Welcome to Castalia," said Bodensteiner.

He was always heard to inquire, "How's it going today?" His "home of caring people" will miss his friendly smile and laugh and his official and unofficial contributions to the city of Castalia.

Decorah, Iowa newspaper of the time clippings, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.