Brown

Ralph William Brown, 85, of Butler, formerly of Bruin, died peacefully Tuesday surrounded by his family. He had congestive heart failure.

Born in West Sunbury, Aug. 11, 1925, he was the son of the late William Arthur and Celia Sipes Brown.

He was a graduate of Bruin High School.

During World War II, he was a technical flight sergeant in the Army Air Force's 680th Bomb Squadron, 504th Fighter Group; and he was involved in the Air Offensive Japanese Western Pacific stationed in the Northern Marianas Islands. He was a recipient of the American Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, two Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Following the war, he worked for Penn Drake, which was renamed Penreco, in Karns City for 43 years, retiring in 1990.

Mr. Brown was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He loved his family, gardening, fishing, hunting, and country western dancing. He enjoyed socializing with his many friends at card parties.

He belonged to St. John's Reformed Church in Meridian, and formerly he was an elder and trustee for Martinsburg Presbyterian Church in Bruin.

He is survived by his lovely wife, Phyllis (Switzer) Brown, who he married Aug. 8, 1950; three daughters, Gloria Raimond of Pompano Beach, Fla., Rhonda (Richard) Schwartz of Annandale, Va., and Susan (Kevin) Zediker of Chicora; and one son; Dale (Kelly) Brown of Petrolia.

Another son, Robert Brown, is deceased. Two sisters, Shirley Patterson and Dorothy Hunter, also preceded him in death.

Other survivors include a brother, James (Barb) Brown of Bruin; a sister, Pearl Minsinger of Pittsburgh; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

<B>BROWN </B>— Viewing for Ralph William Brown, who died Tuesday, March 2, 2011, will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at <B>Steighner Funeral Home </B>in downtown Chicora. The funeral will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home celebrated by the Rev. Robert Peterson, pastor of St. John's Reformed Church, Meridian. Burial will be in Bear Creek Cemetery in Petrolia.Full military honors will be provided by the Chicora VFW and the Chicora American Legion posts.To leave condolences, go to www.steighnerfuneralhome.com.