Richard I. Brown Obituary (1932 - 2016)

Richard I. Brown, age 84, of Greenville, passed away early Sunday morning, January 24, 2016 at his home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice. The son of Leslie Joseph & Adaline May (Steffensen) Brown, he was born at home on January 3, 1932 in Greenville. A proud veteran of the United States Army, Richard also served in the Michigan National Guard. On Dec. 15, 1951, in Greenville, he married the former Eloyce Emily Rambo who was working as a telephone operator. They made their home in Georgia and following Richard's discharge they returned to Greenville and raised two children and enjoyed almost 56 years of marriage. Richard retired from the former Electrolux Home Products after 43 years of service. Richard had enjoyed league bowling and golfing, and in more recent years he stayed active by walking The Fred Meijer Flat River Trail. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eloyce Brown on December 8, 2007; and a sister, Joyce Ritter. Surviving are his children, Jeffrey & Julie Brown, and Julie & Scott Blundy, all of Greenville; three grandchildren, Malorie Brown, Anthony Blundy, and Alicia Blundy, all of Greenville; a brother and two sisters, Les Brown of Belding, Darlene Loughlin, and Sandy Bell, all of Greenville; a sister-in-law, Charlotte L. & Bob Harvey of Portage and several nieces and nephews. Visitation with the family is from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday at Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The Rev. Donald Spachman, pastor of the First United Methodist Church will officiate and burial, with military honors, will take place at a later date at Rest Haven Memory Gardens, Belding. Instead of flowers, Richard would have appreciated contributions in his memory to the American Cancer Society.