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Wilford Brown
February 27, 1924 - May 31, 2008
Oskaloosa, Iowa
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| Visitation: Will begin at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday morning, June 03, 2008 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa; the family will be at the funeral chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to greet visitors. |
| Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M., Wednesday morning, June 04, 2008 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jeff Kingery officiating. |
Interment: Forest Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Harry L. Anderson Post #34 of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans Post #21 and the Veterans of Foriegn Wars Post #2237.
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Wilford "Bill" Brown passed away at Mahaska Hospital on Saturday afternoon at the age of 84 years, 3 months and 4 days.
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Wilford Dale Brown, son of William Riley and Viola May Robbins Brown, was born February 27, 1924 in Lovilia, Iowa. He attended school in Lovilia. October 15, 1940, he married Hazel Faye Kingery in Missouri. March 27, 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a member of the “The Big Red One” the First Infantry, Second Battalion. He was part of the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944, and was the only survivor of three men to first land on Omaha Beach. He was wounded in that invasion, and again in Germany. He spent 6 months recuperating in a military hospital. He was the recipient of the Silver Star for Bravery, two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star and numerous other accolades and honors. He was discharged October 13, 1945. In 2001, Bill was awarded an Honorary Diploma from Oskaloosa High School recognizing his sacrificial service in the military, which prevented him from finishing high school as a young man. Following his discharge, Bill and Hazel made their home in Oskaloosa and Bill worked for Ben Dupree for many years as a carpenter. In 1974, he began working for the Oskaloosa School System in the maintenance department; he worked there 15 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Oskaloosa Community Church. He enjoyed woodworking, travel and time spent with his family.
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His family includes his three daughters: Connie (Dennis) Tarr of Oskaloosa; Donna Sabin of Oskaloosa and Bonnie Todd of Indianola; eight grandchildren: Rick Todd, Randy Todd, Roxanna Colbert, Russell Todd, Kassie Divelbiss, Jason Tarr, Heather Youngberg and Matt Sabin; nine great grandchildren; and one great great grandson; three sisters: Dorothy McCombs of Oskaloosa; Norma (Gordon) Whitlatch of Oskaloosa and Barbara (Vernon) McClun of Newton; and two brothers: Alvia Lee (Irene) Brown of Fremont, IA and Danny (Elaine) Brown of Oskaloosa.
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Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Hazel on November 21, 2006 and three brothers: Gerald, Donald and Larry Brown.
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Memorials may be made to the Oskaloosa Community Church.
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