James Brown

James "Brownie" Brown, 100, of Grand Ridge, Illinois, passed away Monday, February 3, 2025, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial Mass will be Friday, February 21, 2025, at St. Mary of the Fields Catholic Church, Grand Ridge, IL. Visitation will be 9:30 – 11:30 with Mass beginning at 11:30. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, Illinois.

He was born September 29, 1924, in Ludlow, Illinois, to James and Alta (Head) Brown.  In 1946, he married Dolores (McCormick) and celebrated 64 years together as the proud parents of five children.

James is survived by children, Kevin (Pat) Brown of Ottawa; James (Cindy) Brown of Palmdale, CA; Karen (Ahmed) Saleh of Streator; and Christine (Sylvester) Benckendorf of Streator. Eight grandchildren, also survive him, Mike (Jackee) Brown of Downs; Becky (Jason) Spaulding of Noblesville, IN; Steve (Christin) Brown of Lexington; James (Caitlin) Brown of Streator; Patrick (Karen) Smith of Streator; Zakia (Scott) Scheuer of Streator; Nadia Saleh of New York, NY; and Theresa Benckendorf of Streator. Sixteen great-grandchildren also survive him, Veronica, Kylar, and Jacob Spaulding; Dominic and Sidney Brown; Leland and Colin Brown; Saul Moreno; Eden Bruhns, and Maura Condon; Jasmine and Jessica Evans; Allison and Michael Smith; and Ellie and Hanna Scheuer. He is survived by sisters, Ann Miller, and Judy Franks; sisters-in-law Doris Brown, Sara Brown, Pat McCormick, and Theresa McCormick; and over one hundred nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Alta; wife, Dolores; daughter, Sheila Smith-Rawlins; granddaughters, Heather Smith-Condon and Jennifer Smith-Evans; sister, Mary McCormick; and brothers, Gene, Phil, Gerald, Edward, and Joe Brown.

James attended St. Bede Academy where he earned an Associate Degree. After serving his country in the 8th Air Force, Jim and Dode moved to Streator where he went on to receive an Elementary Teacher’s Certificate and private pilot’s license.  Jim worked as a clerk for Williams Hardware and a laborer for FX Neumann & Sons.  Jim and Dode bought their first home in Grand Ridge, raised their five children, and were foster parents of over a dozen children. He was the Assistant Production Manager for Walter Seed Company, instrumental in the hybrid seed corn development with P-A-G, Plant Manager for Cargill Seeds, and retired from Snap-On Tools.

Over the years, Jim enjoyed being a substitute mail carrier and farm hand for several local farmers. He held notable seats as Grand Ridge Fire Chief and Grand Ridge Mayor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Grand Ridge Volunteer Fire Department or St. Bede Abbey.

The family would also like to express their gratitude to his caretakers, Kelli Lyle, Liz Rodriguez, and Pat Duffield, along with OSF Hospice for their love and care during his illness.

In honor of James, the family asks that you perform a random act of kindness to help make the world a better place.