12/21/2019
Delbert Lee Brown, age 72, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, December 21, 2019.
Delbert was born on March 8, 1947, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the eldest son of Delbert and Lois Maxine (Busick) Brown. Delbert and his eight siblings were raised in Knoxville.
Delbert graduated from Knoxville High School, Class of 1965, and shortly after graduation Delbert served in the United States Army. He served from 1966 to 1968 as an Administrative Clerk in South Korea, during the Vietnam Conflict.
After serving in the Army Delbert moved back to Knoxville and worked for a time at the V.A. Medical Center in Knoxville. Later he left the medical center and worked at the family business, Brown’s Sanitation. Delbert later went back to the V.A. Medical Center and worked as an aide. Delbert last worked at the Clearview Care Center in Prairie City.
Delbert was a lifelong musician. He could play many instruments by ear and he could play many types of music. Delbert especially enjoyed playing gospel music. For many years Delbert was a devoted volunteer with the Helping Hands of Knoxville.
Delbert is preceded in death by his parents Delbert and Lois; two brothers Jay and Jason Brown; and his brother-in-law Carroll Nearmyer.
Those left to honor and cherish Delbert’s memory include his siblings, Mary Ellen Goode and her husband Richard of Indianola, Carolyn Nearmyer of Knoxville, Linda Van Wyngarden of Knoxville, John Brown and his wife Gerry of Knoxville, Joe Brown and his wife Karen of Knoxville, and Jody Brown and his wife Michelle of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and his sister-in-law Jo Heigele.
Delbert is also survived by his two Aunts, Bonnie Hill of Knoxville and Rosella Schlegel of Des Moines; and many nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.
Delbert’s wishes were to be cremated and a Celebration of Delbert’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 3, 2020, at the Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville.
Delbert’s family will be greeting friends from 10:00 A.M., until service time.
Following services, burial with military honors will be held at Graceland Cemetery of Knoxville.
A memorial has been established in Delbert’s name for funeral expenses.
The Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville is assisting Delbert’s family with services.