NAPPANEE – Alta Marie Brown, 88, of Nappanee, died at 7:30 a.m. May 26, 2013, in I.U. Health Goshen Hospital, after a short illness. She was born July 21, 1924, in Goshen, to Corlis L. and Alma Bowman Hart. On March 5, 1943, in Goshen, she married James O. Brown, who died May 6, 2013. She was a 1939 graduate of Goshen High School. She was a homemaker and formerly worked for doctors John DeFries and Charles Gorham as receptionist and assistant, retiring in June 1980, when the office closed. She was a lifetime member of Disabled American Veteran’s Auxiliary, Goshen, and the Auxiliary of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association and a member of First Church of God, Nappanee. She volunteered at Open Door, Nappanee. Surviving are three children: Marsha (and spouse Roger) Disher, Nappanee; James R. (and spouse Linda) Brown, New Paris; and Randall L. (and spouse Liz) Brown, Grand Rapids, Mich; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Church of God with the Rev. Sam Bennett officiating. Burial wil be in Union Center Cemetery. Calling is from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. ***** Memorials may be given to United Cancer Services of Elkhart County.
