Ellis A. Brown, 87

KENTON - Ellis A. Brown of Kenton passed away at home on Monday, July 9, 2007, after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 87.

Ellis was a warm, loving husband and father.

He was born in Colwyn, Pa., to George and Clara Brown.

During his early life, Ellis worked as a first class sheet metal worker at the Sun Shipyard, where ships were being built for the war effort.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army. After basic training, he was stationed in India, preparing for the invasion of Japan, when thankfully the war ended.

During the remainder of his military time, Ellis trained as a cook and baker, working in the United States.

Upon his release from military service, he joined his father in farming, first at a small farm near Kenton, and later at a larger farm near Woodland Beach. He began working at Chrysler Corp., and subsequently retired from there with a perfect attendance record.

Ellis enjoyed gardening, crabbing and fishing. His greatest joy was raising his family on the farm near Woodland Beach.

He was a longstanding member of First Presbyterian Church, Smyrna, where he demonstrated his cooking prowess especially when there was a smorgasbord being served. He was also a member of the Kenton Ruritan Club.

Ellis was preceded in death by a son, Michael Brown; his parents, George A. and Clara Ann Brown, his sister, Ruth D. Street; and a son-in-law, Robert Schanberger.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Ashlynne R. Brown; a son and daughter-in-law, George and Virginia Brown of Kenton; a daughter, Carol Schanberger of Churchville, Pa.; a son and daughter-in-law, Gerald and Carol Brown of Milford; another son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Jacqueline Brown of Dover; a niece and husband, Judith and Ronald Virdin of Clayton; a nephew and wife, Fred and Sharon Street of Smyrna; a nephew and wife, Ed and Mary Street of Newark; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful man.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 118 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, where friends may call at the church at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Presbyterian Church, 118 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, DE 19977; or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of DE, 100 W. 10th St., Ste. 209, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.