He was born February 9, 1930 in Springfield, IL to Douglas M. Brown and Juanita P. Brown. Donald married Vera (Sandy) Sandel on April 19, 1952. She survives.
Also surviving are four children, Tom (Jan) Brown of Boxford, MA, Diane (Steve) Austin of Tulsa, OK, Nancy (Jim) Snell of Dallas, TX and Gary (Colleen) Brown of Westmont, IL. Ten grandchildren: Matt (Portia) Brown of Salem, MA, Andrew (Erika) Brown of Beverly Farms, MA, Megan (Andrew) Gray of Marblehead, MA, Elizabeth (Drew) Hursey of Memphis, TN, Sam Austin of Oklahoma City, OK, Katie (David) Williams of Augusta, GA, Jimmy (Samantha) Snell of Dallas, TX, Annie Snell of Dallas, TX , Emily Brown of Nashville, TN and Jack Brown of Chicago, IL. Seven great grandchildren: Eliza, Warren, Logan, Lily, Ben, Charlotte and Olivia. Don loved his family dearly and took enormous pride in his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments.
Don served in the Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1953. He attended and graduated from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1957. He operated a family dental practice, which served the Peoria community for 49 years. He was an active member in the American Dental Association, the Illinois State Dental Association, and the Peoria District Dental Society, where he served as President in 1980. He was also a supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during his youth in 1946.
He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, golf, tennis and landscaping.
Don was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Peoria and a member of the Harvesters Sunday School Class. He served on the church grounds committee for many years.
The family would like to thank the care providers from Stay At Home Health Care and Unity Point Hospice for their excellent care services.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 22, 2022 at First United Methodist Church of Peoria. Arrangements have been entrusted to Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Peoria, The Salvation Army of Peoria or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences to the Brown family may be made at www.woolsey-wilton.com.
DONATIONS
First United Methodist Church of Peoria, The Salvation Army of Peoria or a charity of your choice
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18