Helen M. Brown

11/13/1924 - 6/17/2007

PEKIN ~ Helen M. Brown, 82, of 1520 El Camino Drive, passed away at 8:15 a.m. Sunday, June 17, 2007 at the Pekin Hospital emergency room. She was formerly of 805 Mary Street in Pekin.

Born November 13, 1924 in Pekin to Robert and Minnie (Klockenga) Zimmerman, she married Marvin L. Brown, Sr. on December 21, 1945 in Pekin. He died May 31, 1973 in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one brother (Robert I. Zimmerman), and two infant great-grandsons (Brian Rennie and Sawyer Rennie).

Surviving are three sons, Marvin L. (Judy) Brown, Jr. and Larry A. (Kim) Brown, both of Pekin, and Ronald K. (Kathy) Brown of Tremont; eight grandchildren, Jill Brown, Keith (Ashleigh) Brown, Derek Brown, and Sarah Brown, all of Pekin, Michael (Gretchen) Brown of Washington, Amy (Jim) Rennie and Joel (Sarah) Brown, both of Tremont, and Mark (Marsha) Brown of Eureka; and two great-granddaughters, Savannah Brown and Kyleigh Brown.

Helen was a 1942 graduate of Pekin Community High School.

She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Pekin, where she was a member of the ladies auxiliary and ladies missionary society. She served as the church secretary for many years.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at Calvary Baptist Church in Pekin. The Rev. Michael McLeod will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel and also 30 minutes before the funeral Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 921 Caroline Street, Pekin, IL 61554.