Gregg Allen “Stubby” Brown, Sidney, passed away on May 29, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne. The son of the late William and W. Lorraine (Reitzel) Brown, Stubby was born February 11, 1951, in Sterling, Illinois.
Stubby graduated from Milledgeville High School in Illinois in 1969. Shortly thereafter he began dating Debbie Peterson, and the two wed on June 2, 1973. The two would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary just five days after Stubby’s passing. Stubby and Debbie were blessed with three children, Brandy, Richard and Amber. Together they suffered the heartbreak of losing their daughter Brandy Sue Brown on December 19, 2006. Stubby and Debbie loved and supported one another during this unimaginably difficult time.
Stubby was a hard worker who provided for his family. When he and Debbie moved to Indiana, Stubby worked at Heckman Bindery, where he spent twenty-two years before going to work for R-Vision for seven years. In April 2019 he retired from Instrumental Machine and Development, where he had been employed for eleven years.
Stubby had a deep passion for the game of softball both playing and coaching softball, which he played for many years and from which came many lifelong friendships. He coached high school softball for fifteen years and used the game as a way to teach bigger lessons to many girls over the years. He enjoyed seeing his players succeed later in life and thought of many of them as daughters. His enjoyment of sports went beyond softball, and could be often heard cheering for Manchester High School, Notre Dame, and the University of Illinois.
The loving memory of Gregg Allen “Stubby” Brown will be forever cherished by his wife, Debbie Brown, Sidney; son, Richard M. (Marlyn) Brown, North Manchester; daughter, Amber D. Brown, Fort Wayne; two grandchildren, Charlyn and Caleb Brown; sisters, Colleen Brown, Arizona and Lorry (Scott) Garber, Claypool; and the many players and friends he made through work and softball. Stubby was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Brandy Sue Brown.
Family and friends may call Monday, June 5, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. Funeral services will be held at the conclusion of calling with Rev. Judy Follis officiating. A private burial will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester at a later date.
For those who wish to honor the memory of Stubby Brown, memorial contributions may be made to Goshen Center for Cancer Care, 200 High Park Ave., Goshen, Indiana 46526.
The family of Stubby Brown has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.
Condolences may be emailed to mckeemortuary.com