James W. Brown

JAMES W. BROWN, 69 Loving Husband, Brother and Uncle James W. Brown, 69, Rockford, lost his long battle with cancer at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2007 in his home surrounded by his family. Born May 11, 1938 in Rockford, son of Alfred S. and Ruth Todson Brown. Graduated from Winnebago High School and attended Bradley University. Married Clarice L. Vien in Minneapolis, MN. on October 7, 1967. Member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. Jim was an Independent Insurance Producer for the Al Brown Agency and also the Ken McEachran Insurance Agency. He loved the outdoor life and considered himself a golf addict. Jim was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. (1956-58) and a lifetime member of the Rockford Detachment of the Marine Corps League. For many years he meticulously and faithfully served the community by organizing the Military Honors Group for funerals of veterans. Jim was also a current member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club, North American Fishing Club, (he enjoyed his fishing trips to Wisconsin each year with his brother), Pine Tree Pistol Club, the Tebala Shrine and past member of Forest Hills Country Club. He was also a founder and the first president of the Rock Valley Ski Association in 1971. He could always be counted on for his dry sense of humor. Jims family would like to give special thanks to the OSF Center for Cancer Care, Dr. Korkmaz, Dr. OMalley and Northern Illinois Hospice & Grief Center for the wonderful care that was given to him. Survivors include his wife, Claire; sister, Judy Mitchell; brother, Scott (Becky) Brown; nieces and nephews, Michael (Janice) Mitchell, Marcee (Terry) Keilback, Mindy (Jim) Gould, Matthew (Thessa) Mitchell, Andrea (Stuart) Harris and Jeff Brown; great-nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Ida Vien and the rest of his Minnesota family. Predeceased by his parents, brother-in-law, Douglas Mitchell and father-in-law, Leslie Vien. Funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 in St. Mark Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Mark Hagen officiating. Burial in Winnebago Cemetery. Visitation from 6-8 p.m. on Monday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Visitation also from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northern Illinois Hospice & Grief Center, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Marine Corps League, Downtown Kiwanis Club or Tebala Shrine. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com