Wendell K. Brown

Wendell K. Brown, 98, of Galesburg, formerly of Wataga, died at 12:20 a.m. Monday, August 12, 2013 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg. Wendell was born August 31, 1914 in Bushnell, the son of Walter S. and Mabelle B. (Stogsdill) Brown.  He married Evelyn M. McCabe on November 8, 1937 in Decorah, IA.  He is survived by his wife 75 years, Evelyn of Galesburg; one brother, Robert Brown of Mukwonago, WI; and one sister, Shirley Houston of El Cajon, CA.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews including his only local niece, Shirley (William) Pelton of Knoxville; and his extended family Ken (Janet) Russell of Wataga.  He was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters. Wendell served in the as a staff sergeant in Galesburg’s Battery A, 123rd Artillery Division of the Army National Guard during World War II.  He worked for the US Government at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO for twenty years, retiring in 1979 at which time they moved to Wataga. Wendell was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Wataga and had served on the parish council.  He had also been active in Legion of 1000 men in St. Louis, MO.  Wendell had also served at the treasurer for the Wataga Sanitary District and the treasurer for the Wataga Cemetery Board.  Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, August 17, 2013 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church Wataga.  Rev. Deus-Dedit Byabato will officiate.  Burial will follow with military honors in the Wataga Cemetery, Wataga.  There will be no visitation.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic Church.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Watson-Thomas Funeral Home, Galesburg.