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Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)
NORMAL — Ina Jean Brown, 86, Normal, formerly of Funks Grove, died at 2 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 26, 2012) in Normal.
A private family burial will be Thursday in Funks Grove Cemetery, Funks Grove. There will be no visitation.
Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by her four children, William A. (Cricket) Brown, Fort Worth, Texas; Robert E. “Ed” (Paula) Brown, Carlock; Rodney O. (Pat) Brown, Bloomington; and Debba Jean (John) Sweeney, Hudson; 10 grandchildren, including Kelly (Jeff) Sweeney Cole, Jonna (Donald) Sweeney Robinson, Preston (Crystal) Sweeney, Justin Sweeney, Chris (Kelli) Brown, Jeff (Chris) Brown, Shane Brown, Scott (Michele) Brown, Mark Brown and Nikki Brown; eight great-grandchildren, Kassadie and Peyton Cole, Brandon and Nate Robinson, Ryleigh and Liam Sweeney, and Aron and Ashly Brown; and one great-great-grandchild, Noah Robinson. Jean also leaves behind a brother, Andrew Harris, and many nieces and nephews, as well as a special friend, Eldon Mears.
Ina Jean was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” E. Brown; her brother, Oren Harris; and two sisters-in-law whom she adored, Marge and Noni Harris.
Ina Jean Harris Brown was born on July 21, 1925, daughter of Christa Jones and Ira B. Harris in Kentucky. She met the love of her life, William E. Brown, at the Funks Grove Roller Rink and soon married. They traveled to California where Bill joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. Upon returning home, they led an exciting life. Jean learned to drive stock cars with her husband and also participated in ladies powder puff derbies. She worked at Admiral and G.E during this time. Sunday pot roast dinners at the Grove and holidays with the family were her most special times. Jean always welcomed family and friends to their home.
Upon the untimely death of her husband in 1975, she moved to Colorado with her son Bill to help run their family ski lodge. She enjoyed meeting new friends and learning how to snow ski. She moved back to the Grove six years later and spent the rest of her life enjoying her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a passionate sports fan who loved the Denver Broncos, watching Cubs games and attending ISU men’s basketball games. Later in life, she worked for GATX and was a crossing guard for Unit 5.
Jean was full of kindness and tenacity. Ina Jean will be sorely missed by all of her family and friends.
We loved her with all our hearts.
Read more: http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/obituaries/ina-jean-brown/article_4decf6c2-626c-11e1-ad3a-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1oNpJ89zw
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