Charles"Charlie" E. Brown

Charles “Charlie” E. Brown of Pearce/Sunsites, AZ, died at his home on December 31, 2016, at the age of 86. He was born on January 7, 1930, in Wintersville, Ohio, to Theodore McKinley Brown and Margaret Elizabeth Wilson Brown. On August 23, 1958, he married Joan Diehl in Chesterhill, Ohio. Joan survives him along with his daughters Denise (Larry) Buergel of Hilliard, Ohio, and Beth Brown of Marietta, Ohio. He is also survived by his grandsons Nathan, Daniel and Joshua Buergel; his brother Russell (Marty) Brown of Port Clinton, Ohio; and his sisters Margaret Lutz of Middletown, Pennsylvania, and Avis Brown of Tyler, Texas; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. Preceding him in death are his brothers James and David and his sister Laura. Charles served in the US Air Force during the Korean War as a jet mechanic, and one of his duty stations was in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was honorably discharged with the rank of SSGT. Charles was a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he received his bachelors and masters degrees. He also earn a Specialist degree from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Charles dedicated his professional life to public education. He was a retired school principal and superintendent from several school districts in Ohio including Leipsic Local, Crestline Exempted Village, Buckeye Local, and Crestwood Local. He also served as superintendent in several school districts in Arizona which were Stanfield, Cochise, and McNeal. He also was the financial administrator for the Tuba City Public Schools in the Navajo Nation. Community service was very important to Charles. He was an Eagle Scout and was very active in the Scouting program while he lived in Leipsic and Crestline, Ohio. Charles was very active in Kiwanis Clubs in Ohio, was a very active member of the Cochise Stronghold Lions Club in Sunsites, served on the Pearce Elementary School Board, and served on the Governor’s Council on the Aging for many years. He was one of the founding members of the Sunsites Community Center. Charles was a member of the Willcox United Methodist Church and held numerous leadership positions in various United Methodist churches in Ohio and Arizona. A Celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at 3:00 PM, followed by a luncheon, at the Sunsites Community Center in Sunsites, Arizona. Graveside Military interment will be on Friday, January 20, 2017, at 11:00 AM, at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio. An Ohio Celebration of Charles’ life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at 12:00 PM, followed by a luncheon, at the Hilliard United Methodist Church in Hilliard, Ohio. Contributions may be made to the Sunsites Community Center Building Fund, P.O. Box 701, Pearce, Arizona 85625. Arrangements entrusted to Westlawn Chapel, Mortuary and Crematory of Willcox, Arizona. Condolences may be expressed at www.westlawnchapelmortuary.com.

Charles"Charlie" E. Brown

January 7, 1930 - December 31, 2016