Earl "Bill" Brown

Lifelong Gibsonburg resident, Earl W. "Bill" Brown, died Monday, June 18, 2012 under the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg. He was 78. Bill was born in Genoa, OH on December 22, 1933, one of two sons of Samuel and Helen (Cole) Brown. He graduated from Gibsonburg High School in 1952 and married the love of his life, Rita Kirwen, on January 20, 1954 at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Gibsonburg. Rita survives. As a lab technician, he worked for over thirty years for the former Pfizer Lime Quarry in Gibsonburg, retiring from there in 1983. Bill then took employment with Martin Marietta where he stayed for an additional 14 years, fully retiring in 1997. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he lived for his family and enjoyed the time spent in fellowship with them, friends and neighbors. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Gibsonburg and a frequent visitor to the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue. Bill enjoyed hearing and singing the song "DannyBoy" and treasured his pets, the latest of which are his parrotlets, Blue and Peppy. More recently, Bill was known to have a Happy Face even when things weren't so well. It is with that optimism that he wished his body to be donated to science in the hope of helping others. In addition to Rita, Bill is survived by his children, Paul (Dawn) of Findlay, David (Mary) of Gibsonburg, Melanie Garcia and her friend Jim of Cygnet, Stephanie (Steven) Rusher of Fremont, Lea Kae (Dean) Wonderly of Helena, Martin (Sue) of Gibsonburg, Leanne (John) Shetzer of Fremont and Joseph (Gina) of Connecticut; 22 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren; and brother Howard (MaryAnn) Brown of Gibsonburg. He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Don and Phyllis and two step brothers. A time to share, console and visit with Bill's family will be provided at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Gibsonburg, Friday, June 22, 2012, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Gibsonburg Volunteer Fire Dept., Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg or to the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue.