Edwin Brown

TRAVERSE CITY — Edwin Palmer Brown, 98, of Traverse City and formerly of Lansing, passed away Friday, March 9, 2012, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Edwin was born on Oct. 7, 1913, to the late Edwin T. and Ruby (Palmer) Brown in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. After graduating from Saulte Ste. Marie High School, he worked in marine contracting and spent 42 months in the Armed Forces during World War II. During World War II Ed entered into marriage with the former Mary Williams, from Morris, Ill., in July of 1943. When the war ended they moved to Lansing. Ed attended Michigan State University and received a B.A. and M.A. degrees in urban planning. He was employed as the director of urban planning in Lansing until his retirement in 1977. Ed and Mary had one daughter, Nancy, who preceded them in death at the age of 32. When both Ed and Mary retired they moved to Traverse City and built a home on Grand Traverse Bay. Ed was a member of Central United Methodist Church. He enjoyed traveling with Mary, visiting many countries throughout the world, and going on cruises. Edwin is survived by his loving wife of over 68 years, Mary Brown, of Traverse City; nephews, Russell Nye, Warren Brown, Raymond Brown, Theodore Brown and William Mackie; nieces, Janet Upshaw, Susan LaRue, Sandra Sandberg, Patricia Wesling, Rebecca Estes and Sarah Jane Greene; as well as many other loving family members and friends. Edwin was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Brown; his parents; one brother, Charles Brown; and three sisters, Muriel Nye, Eva Mackie and Vivian LaRue. Memorial services will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at the Central United Methodist Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Dale Ostema will officiate. Cremation has taken place. Committal services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Morris, Ill., at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Edwin P. Brown Memorial Fund, c/o the Maritime Heritage Alliance or Central United Methodist Church. Please share your thoughts with the family at Ed’s online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.