Kermit Brown, 91, of Marion

Kermit Brown, 91, of Marion, Ohio, a member of the "Greatest Generation," passed away March 16, 2011, with his British "War Bride," Madge E. Brown, and family members at his side.

The couple recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.  At the time of his death, Kermit and Madge were residing at Sycamore Village, an assisted living facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Kermit was born on March 9, 1920, and was the oldest of six children. He was raised during the depression on an apple farm in the hills of southern Ohio, just south of Jackson, Ohio.  Like many members of his generation, he spent most of his time working on the family farm, in addition to attending school.  He was a member of the graduating class of 1938 at Jackson County High School.

After high school, he continued working on his father's farm until world events caused him to enlist in the United States Army Air Corps, just two months prior to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.  He spent nearly four years in the service of his country as an Airplane and Engine Mechanic, maintaining and repairing four-engine B-24 "Liberator" bombers.  After a period of time, he was promoted to Sergeant and placed in charge of a crew of mechanics.  His unit was the 93rd Bombardment Group and was based at Alconbury, England.  The 93rd Bomb Group was affectionately known as "Ted's Travelling Circus," a name given in honor of their Commanding Officer, General Edward "Ted" Timberlake.  Kermit's outfit saw service in Europe and traveled twice to airfields constructed in the North African deserts of Libya and Tunisia.  While in Africa, his unit took part in the infamous raid on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania.  Kermit was mentioned in a book titled "Ted's Travelling Circus" which chronicled the famous unit's actions during Second World War.  Sergeant Brown's Citations include the European Theater Ribbon with 11 bronze battle stars, American Defense Medal and a Distinguished Unit Citation.

While stationed in England, Kermit met his future bride, Madge Eileen Henshall, at a dance in a village near where Kermit was stationed.  A romance developed and the two eventually were married in Redenhall Church, Norfolk.  A year later, their first child, Glynis, was born.  A few months later, at the end of the war in Europe, mother and child boarded a ship bound for the States.

At the end of the war, Kermit and his new family returned to his father's farm in Jackson and raised and sold apples for seven years.  He and his brother, Paul, left the farm and entered the hardware business.   Eventually Kermit became a store Manager with the Cussins and Fearn Company in Marion, Ohio.  The company went out of business in 1966, and Kermit became an employee of the United States Postal Service until he retired from government service.

Kermit was an avid sportsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting.  He spent a great deal of his free time visiting and traveling with his brothers Paul (Edith), Donald (Sylvia), Roger (Carolyn) and his sister Mildred (James Blankenship).  Kermit's best friends were his family.

Kermit was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel C. and Elisabeth A. Brown, brothers Donald, Paul and sister, Jean Strickland. He was also preceded in death by his Army "Buddy" and brother-in-law, James Blankenship.  He is survived by a sister, Mildred Blankenship, and a brother, Roger.

He is also survived by his wife, Madge; daughters Glynis (James) Tong of Quincy, MI and Janice (Dr. Kelly) Ferrell of Fort Wayne, IN; sons Gregory (Phyllis) of Padre Island, TX and Raymond (Laura) of El Paso, TX.  He is survived by twelve grandchildren: Christine, Paul, Stephanie, Jeremy, Emily, Erin, Bryant, Shane, Caitlin, Regan, Casey and Keegan.  He is also survived by six great grandchildren: Gregory, Colin, Zach, Brian, Jenna and Michael.

The family would like to thank Madge and Kermit's neighbors, Winston & Janet Campbell, Larry & Penny Lathrop, William Jr. & Kathy Vance, for their timely aid and assistance during Kermit's declining health.  In addition, we would also like to thank the staff at The Hearth at Sycamore Village and Hospice of Fort Wayne for their kind attention and care.

Visitation will be from 2-4p.m. on Sunday, March 20 at Denzer-Farison-Hottinger and Snyder Funeral Home.  Services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, March 21, at 10 a.m.  Burial will immediately follow at the Marion Cemetery.

For those wishing to express their private condolences online to Kermit’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.