Merle Keith Brown, 87, Lone Jack, Missouri, died July 16, 2013 of congestive heart failure. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, July 22, 2013 at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO; burial in Brown Cemetery, Oak Grove, MO. The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 21st at the funeral home.
Merle was born May 26, 1926 to Thomas Francis and Eliza Ona (Airrington) Brown. He served in the United States Naval Reserve from June 1944 to February 1947. He served on two boats, an LCT and the LST 325 in the Mediterranean. After his honorable discharge, Merle returned home to Kingsville, MO. He took Agriculture classes on the G.I. Bill. He married Mary Louise Shippy. He loved to play bluegrass music with family and friends. Merle and Mary Lou loved to have get-togethers with family and friends. For 57 years, they hosted a New Year’s Eve celebration. He retired in 1982 after 30 years at General Motors in Fairfax. After retirement, Merle and Mary Lou enjoyed being with family, especially their grandchildren, and browsing antique and second-hand stores.
Merle is preceded in death by his mother and father; five brothers: Raymond, Harold, Kenneth, Eugene & Kenion; and four sisters: Fay Brickey and three infant sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Lou Brown; son, Lonnie Brown (Cari) of Lone Jack; three daughters: Penny Moyer (John) of Oak Grove, Carmellia Nelson (Dwight) of Stilwell, KS, & Celesta Schowengerdt (Mike) of Raytown, MO; 16 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Lanora McKay of Holden, MO, & May van Os (Charles) of Hannibal, MO; three sisters-in-law: Clara Jane Brown of Kingsville, MO, Frances Elkins of Holden, & Maxine Jaeger (Eugene) of Warrensburg, MO; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441