John Elmer Brown, 91, of Edina, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at the Knox County Nursing Home in Edina, Missouri.
Elmer was born near Edina on June 27, 1921, to John and Rose Klocke Brown.
He graduated from Edina High School in 1939. Elmer served in the Army Air Corps, October 14, 1942 to February 9, 1946, stationed in the United States and the China-Burma-India campaign overseas.
On November 24, 1946, Elmer married Mary Frances Thompson.
After farming near Novelty, the family moved to Burley, Idaho, where Elmer was a rural carrier for the US Post Office. He retired in 1981.
On September 2, 1981, Elmer and Essie Marie Gardner were married in the Edina Methodist Church in Edina, Missouri. For 26 years, they spent their winters in Edinburg, Texas and their summers in Edina, Missouri and Burley, Idaho.
Elmer was a member of the Edina United Methodist Church, Knox City American Legion Post #358 and the National Rural Carriers of America. He loved fishing with family and friends and crafting.
Survivors include his wife, Essie of Edina, Missouri; his children, Jerry and wife, Della; Peggy (Jeanne) Lee; Richard and wife, Kathie, all of Burley, ID; five grandchildren; Michelle Gutierrez and husband, Raymond; Kathy LaFaunce and husband, Leroy; Melissa Seasons and husband, Mike; B. J. Brown and wife, Debbie; and Tiffany Brown. Also surviving are his first wife, Mary Windes; 14 great-grandchildren; 5 step-children, Vivian (Bob) Henry of Overland Park, KS, Linda (Stan) Williams of Topeka, KS, Jennifer (Bob) Leckbee of Edina, MO, Paul (Johanna) Gardner of Overland Park, KS and Mark (Valia) Gardner of Springfield, MO, 15 step-grandchildren, 23 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Brown of Indianapolis, IN and Lois Kelley of Camdenton, MO; and two nephews, John Miller of St. Louis, MO and Gary Brown of Phoenix, AZ.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in law, Edna & Raymond Miller; his brother, Carl; granddaughter, Christina Jean, who died in infancy; niece, Mary Rose Hopkins; brother-in-law, Dr. William Kelley; and nephew, Mike Brown.
A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri. Military Honors will be conducted and the conclusion of the services by the Knox City American Legion Post.
His family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday until time of service at the funeral home.
Elmer will be entombed at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri.
An expression of sympathy in memory of Elmer Brown may be left to the Edina United Methodist Church, Knox City American Legion Post #358, Knox County Nursing Home, Nutrition Site or Hospice of Northeast Missouri. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.
