Donald Brown

Donald Ray Brown, age 77, of Huntley, formerly of West Chicago, passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Huntley, IL. He was born on May 6, 1932 in Crossville, IL to George and Veda Brown. Donald was a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School in Mt. Carmel, IL, graduate of Wheaton College, Gordon Divinity School, and later a Masters of Arts degree at Wheaton College. Donald was united in marriage on June 4, 1955 to Shirley Edson. He retired from the US Army chaplaincy as a Lieutenant Colonel having served in Vietnam. He actively served from 1963 to 1968 and active reserve from 1957 to 1998. Donald was a former pastor of First Baptist Church in Sullivan, IL, active 30 year member of West Chicago Bible Church and currently associate pastor at Lighthouse Fellowship Church. He was owner of VIP Educational Services, editor for the National Association of Evangelicals, editor for Wheaton College Alumni Magazine and after writing numerous books he accomplished his first novel in 2007 called "The Reluctant Chameleon."
Donald is survived by his wife; Shirley of 54 years; two daughters; Rebecca (Dave) Mejdrich of Rockford, IL and Sarah (Brian) Smith of Geneva, IL; four grandchildren; Neal (Shannon), Jeremy (Michelle), and Daniel (Morgon) Mejdrich and Shannon Brown; eight grandchildren; Bailey, Dylan, Melanie, Kayla, Luke, Calle, Brooke and Doug; one sister; Ruth Ann Grundon of Mt. Carmel, IL and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Hester; and son, Mark Thomas in 1963.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2010 from 4 to 8 pm at Norris-Walen-Segert Funeral Home, 132 Fremont St., West Chicago (One block north of Washington St. & Main St). Funeral service will take place on Friday, April 2, 2010 at 10 am at the funeral home. Interment River Hills Cemetery in Batavia. In Lieu of flowers contributions in Donald's memory can be made to Lighthouse Fellowship Church Memorial Fund, Huntley, IL. A memorial service will be held on April 8, 2010 from 7 to 9 pm at Sun City for Lighthouse Fellowship Church and Sun City friends at Prairie Lodge in Drendal Hall. 630-231-0060 or www.norriswalensegertfh.com