John Gerald Brown

Gerald Brown, 93, of Livonia, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center on Sunday, January 15, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

John Gerald Brown was born in Livonia, MO, on March 24, 1923, to Jasper C. and Audrey Lefon (Furgason) Brown, who preceded him in death. He attended Oak Grove Elementary School and graduated from Livonia High School in 1940. He entered the US Army in 1942 and served in Europe from 1944 until 1946. Gerald married Neva Pearl Stockton on August 4, 1944, and she preceded him in death on November 11, 2014. To this union were born Gail Eugene, Bonnie Esther, Mona Lou and Lora Lynn.

Gerald committed his life to Christ at the age of 24 and was baptized in the Chariton River in 1947 by Brother Hugh Sawyer. He was recalled for the Korean War in 1950 and served with Company K, US Infantry from 1950-1951. He joined the Iowa Army National guard in 1959 and served for 25 years. Gerald became a charter member of the American Legion Post 575 at Livonia after World War II. He was also a member of the Hartford Masonic Lodge.

Gerald’s community service included the Grant Township Board of Trustees, the Putnam County School board for 20 years and the St. John Cemetery board for several years. Gerald took pride in his farming and loved his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather.

Gerald is survived by his four children: son Gail (Velma) Brown of Livonia, MO; daughters, Bonnie (Brian) Munden of Livonia, MO, Mona Wood of Unionville, MO, and Lora Dodsworth of Livonia, MO. His surviving grandchildren are Lynnette Hicks, Cara (Todd) Vice, Bradley (Angela) Munden, Shawna (George) Head, Jennifer (Guy) Roberts, Barbara (Caleb) Stewart, Tim (Kristin) Wood, Joshua Dodsworth, Audrey (Wesley) Hamilton, Hannah Dodsworth, Erinn Dodsworth, and Emma Dodsworth. His step-grandchildren are Casey (Victoria) Snethen and Jimmy (Meagan) Snethen. Twenty-one great grandchildren, four step-great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren also survive as well as two brothers, Robert Brown and Clifford (Tamara) Brown, a sister, Arlene (Lloyd) Allen, two sisters-in-law, Marietta Wells and Diana Stockton and many nieces and nephews.

Gerald was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Basil Stockton and Joe Wells, one sister-in-law, Ruth Brown, two grandsons, Matthew Brown and Christopher Brown, a grandson-in-law, David Hicks, and one nephew, Japer C. Brown.

Funeral services for Gerald Brown will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, on Thursday, January 19, at 10:30 am. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 18, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Interment will be at the St. John Cemetery, Livonia, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the St. John Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.