Charles W. Brown obituary: Charles W. Brown's Obituary, Topeka

In Memory Of
Charles W. Brown
1939 - 2015

Obituary photo of Charles W.  Brown, Topeka-KS
Obituary photo of Charles W.  Brown, Topeka-KS

In Memory Of
Charles W. Brown
1939 - 2015

Charles W. “Charlie” Brown, 76, of Meriden, formerly of Silver Lake, passed away Friday, July 31, 2015.

He was born January 22, 1939, in Williamsburg, Kansas, the son of Clare Wesley and Charlotte Mabel (Davis) Brown. He attended grade school at Circleville and Meriden and was a 1957 graduate of Silver Lake High School. He served in the U.S. Army from March 10, 1957, serving in Germany until being honorably discharged on September 11, 1959.

Charles married Karen Kay Henry on September 10, 1961in Lawrence. They lived in Silver Lake for 30 years, moving to Meriden in 1990. She survives of the home. Other survivors include three children, Judy (Everette) Thomas, Harveyville; Steven (Candace) Brown, Ozawkie and their children, Rees, Costner, Ledger and Klein; and Cynthia Brown, Dover and her daughter, Brianna. His sister, Dorothy (Dale) Frey, Silver Lake, sister-in-law, Vivian (Dan) Reynoso, Tecumseh and several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and a younger sister, Louise Snavely, Gardner.

Charlie was employed by Santa Fe Railroad for 35 years, retiring in 1993 to help his son, Steve, build and maintain the Gambino’s Pizza in Meriden, Perry, Oskaloosa and Valley Falls and Countryside Square in Meriden, later to become Golden Pizza Co. He continued to be “Mr. fix it man” until his health failed.

He was a 50 year member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, including Ohio Lodge No. 132 of Silver Lake and I.O.O.F. Dover Lodge No. 490 and member of Silver Lake American Legion. He was a Boy Scout Leader, School Board Member, served as City Council Member and also as Mayor of Silver Lake.

Charlie enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, fishing, gardening, camping, boating, tinkering and making homemade ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. He was ornery and didn’t know a stranger.

Honoring his request, Charlie was cremated. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Family Center, 1940 NW Central Ave., (behind Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel), Topeka. Private family inurnment will be at the East View Cemetery, Big Springs, KS.

The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier, Topeka, KS 66606 or to Kelly House of Meriden North, 6313 K4 HWY, Meriden, KS 66512.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Kelly House North, Meriden and Midland Care Hospice.

To leave a special message for Charles’s family, please click the Share Memories button above.
Charles W. “Charlie” Brown, 76, of Meriden, formerly of Silver Lake, passed away Friday, July 31, 2015.

He was born January 22, 1939, in Williamsburg, Kansas, the son of Clare Wesley and Charlotte Mabel (Davis) Brown. He attended grade school at Circleville and Meriden and was a 1957 graduate of Silver Lake High School. He served in the U.S. Army from March 10, 1957, serving in Germany until being honorably discharged on September 11, 1959.

Charles married Karen Kay Henry on September 10, 1961in Lawrence. They lived in Silver Lake for 30 years, moving to Meriden in 1990. She survives of the home. Other survivors include three children, Judy (Everette) Thomas, Harveyville; Steven (Candace) Brown, Ozawkie and their children, Rees, Costner, Ledger and Klein; and Cynthia Brown, Dover and her daughter, Brianna. His sister, Dorothy (Dale) Frey, Silver Lake, sister-in-law, Vivian (Dan) Reynoso, Tecumseh and several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and a younger sister, Louise Snavely, Gardner.

Charlie was employed by Santa Fe Railroad for 35 years, retiring in 1993 to help his son, Steve, build and maintain the Gambino’s Pizza in Meriden, Perry, Oskaloosa and Valley Falls and Countryside Square in Meriden, later to become Golden Pizza Co. He continued to be “Mr. fix it man” until his health failed.

He was a 50 year member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, including Ohio Lodge No. 132 of Silver Lake and I.O.O.F. Dover Lodge No. 490 and member of Silver Lake American Legion. He was a Boy Scout Leader, School Board Member, served as City Council Member and also as Mayor of Silver Lake.

Charlie enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, fishing, gardening, camping, boating, tinkering and making homemade ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. He was ornery and didn’t know a stranger.

Honoring his request, Charlie was cremated. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Family Center, 1940 NW Central Ave., (behind Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel), Topeka. Private family inurnment will be at the East View Cemetery, Big Springs, KS.

The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier, Topeka, KS 66606 or to Kelly House of Meriden North, 6313 K4 HWY, Meriden, KS 66512.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Kelly House North, Meriden and Midland Care Hospice.

To leave a special message for Charles’s family, please click the Share Memories button above.

Services & Gatherings

Visitation

Wednesday, August 5, 2015 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Penwell-Gabel Family Center, 1940 NW Central Ave., (behind Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel), Topeka.

Interment

Private Inurnment
East View Cemetery, Big Springs, Kansas

Parker-Price & Davidson (785-234-5850) is assisting the family

Parker-Price & Davidson (785-234-5850) is assisting the family

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