Glen Russell Brown

GLEN RUSSELL BROWN August 1927 – October 2022 “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Don’t live in the past. Live and let live. It takes all kinds to make a world. Treat others as you wish to be treated.” These were among the many guiding principles that Glen Russell Brown lived by and passed along to his five children -Beverly Brown (Mark Fehling); Fred (Julie); Lora Brown; Susan Bradley (Scott); and Martha Brown (Kathy Wickwire). Glen was born August 5, 1927 in Conneaut Ohio, the fourth son of Ames E. and Edna O. (Cheney) Brown. He was raised on a farm in W. Springfield PA and worked “cutting wheat and oats, spreading manure, and filling the silo with corn” as he liked to tell it. When Glen was 17, his 18-year-old brother Ken was killed in the War. A few years later, Glen chose funeral directing as a profession and graduated from the Pittsburgh Mortuary Institute of Science. In 1960, along with his wife Shirley (Snyder), he established the Glen R. Brown Funeral Home in Millcreek, PA which he ran as a compassionate, caring business for twenty-five years. Glen was an active member of the Millcreek Tall Cedars, the Millcreek Kiwanis Club, and the Acacia Club. He also served on the Millcreek School Board in the 1970s during a contentious time of re-districting and school closures. In 1985, after his kids had begun their own careers, Glen surprised Shirley when he purchased a house in Sarasota Florida. He sold the funeral business along with the family home and he and Shirley headed south. In Sarasota Glen continued his life of giving and caring by driving Snowbirds and seniors unable to drive themselves. He and Shirley opened their home to foreign-exchange students, young adults, and family members in need of a home. Glen and Shirley loved going to estate sales and flea markets. Glen became a collector of little things including Jewell Tea chinaware, deviled-egg plates, wooden elephants, and Rice Krispie figures. He also continued to hone his skills in Canasta and would sometimes subtly lose on purpose if he sensed his opponent needed to win. Glen had a profoundly deep faith which he relied on daily. He was a long-time member of the Asbury United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge #708, both in Millcreek. In 2014, he celebrated his 50th year as a Mason and in 2020 his life-long membership was acknowledged with a Fifty-Year Service Emblem. When Glen made a friend, they were friends for life. Among his many close life-long friends were his W. Springfield high-school classmates and the families who had called upon him as a Funeral Director. Glen’s family and friends knew him to be optimistic, fun-loving, and a kind prankster, full of life, with a quick and contagious belly laugh. He looked for and always found the inner beauty in those he met. Glen taught his children to wonder, to explore, to take chances, and above all – to care for others. In his last years, Glen was cared for by his daughter Lora and their cat Morning Glory. Daughters Lora and Susan were with Glen on October 24th when he died peacefully at home at the age of 95. His family would like to thank Dr. C. Ross Morrison for his compassion, advice, and care and Mr. Jay Lima of Continuum Hospice for his loving care of Glen in his final days. In addition to his children, surviving family include Glen’s youngest sister Jeannette Brown of New Port Richey, Fl.; grandchildren Eric, Nathan, and Stefani; great-grandchildren Ayla, Edmond, and Zia; seven nieces; and brother-in-law Robert Snyder of Houston TX. His wife Shirley died in 2012 and his siblings Ames, Philip, Kenneth, and Alice preceded him in death. A private internment will take place at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Millcreek PA at a later date. Memorials may be made to any local food bank.

Glen Russell Brown

August 5, 1927 - October 24, 2022