Franklin
Joseph M. “Joe” Brown, 87, of Franklin, Indiana, passed away on March 2, 2017, at Homeview Health and Rehabilitation in Franklin, Indiana. He was born December 13, 1929, in Columbus, Indiana. He was the son of Delbert and Ida M. (Hedrick) Brown. He married Helen Davis Brown on May 5, 1951. She preceded him in death on December 22, 1991. He married Jean (Robbins) Sloan Brown on December 24, 1994, and she survives.
He is survived by his second wife; step-daughter, Vicki (Jim) Noblitt of Franklin, Indiana; a granddaughter, Carly (Jon) Blankenship of Indianapolis, Indiana; a grandson, A.J. Noblitt of Greenwood, Indiana; a great-granddaughter, Harper Jean Blankenship; a brother, James “Jim” (Jeanne) Brown of Elizabethtown, Indiana; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Brown of Edinburgh, Indiana.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; a brother, Russell Brown; and a sister, Mary Lou Smith along with her husband, Ernest H. Smith.
He retired from M and M Travel in 1994. He was on the Edinburgh Volunteer Fire Department for ten years, rising to the rank of captain and retired in 1965. He served in the US Air Force from 1950 to 1954.
He was a long-time member of Edinburgh United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Edinburgh Masonic Lodge #100, where he was Worshipful Master in 1969 and 1992, Indianapolis Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine, American Legion Post 233 in Edinburgh, where he served as Commander and on the Honor Guard and Franklin American Legion Honor Guard Post 205. He was a former Edinburgh VFW, was Post Commander five times, was a member of the Columbus Rotary Club and was the recipient of the Paul Harris Award. He was a former member of the Johnson County Draft Board and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Merit Board.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing euchre, watching the Indianapolis Colts and Pacers and watching western movies.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2017, by the Reverend Cleon Wright at Eskew-Eaton Funeral Home in Edinburgh, Indiana. Calling will be from noon until time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery in Edinburgh.
