Kenneth R. Brown

Kenneth R. Brown, 84, of Jackson, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

One of five children, Kenneth was born October 14, 1931, in Jackson, to George R. and Rosebud Shaner Brown. Rosebud passed away a few weeks after Kenneth's birth, and his paternal aunt, Betty Brown, raised him on the family farm northwest of Jackson in the Brookside Community.

Kenneth attended the former McFerron Grade School in the Brookside Community and was a 1949 graduate of Jackson High School. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955, and served overseas in the Korean War.

Kenneth and Peggie Hawkins were married September 19, 1959, at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.

He worked 30 years in the Southeast Missouri area, as a meat inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, retiring in 1996. He farmed his entire life, until recently when failing health rendered him unable.

He was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church and Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158, both in Jackson.

Loving survivors include his wife of 56 years, Peggie of Jackson; three sons, Kenneth Roy (Helen) Brown, Kevin R. (Connie) Brown, James R. (Kelley) Brown all of Jackson; seven grandchildren, Matt Brown of Kansas City, Missouri, Alison Keiper of San Francisco, California, Jennifer Brown of Springfield, Missouri, Adam Brown, Olivia Brown, Aaron Brown, and Duncan Brown all of Jackson; two siblings, Elizabeth (the late John) Moyle of Manchester, New Jersy, Mary (the late Tom) Crites of Jackson; and a sister-in-law, Pat Brooks of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two siblings, Sybil (Emil) Loos, Roy D. Brown; and two brothers-in-law, T. L. and George W. Hawkins.

Visitation will be Friday, January 22, 2016, from 3:30 to 8 p.m., at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. An American Legion Honor Guard service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

The funeral will be Saturday, January 23, 2016, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating.

Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Fruitland with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association or New McKendree United Methodist Church.