Remembering Dan Brown

Written by jrood

Daniel L. Brown, 76, of Glen Carbon, Ill., born July 29, 1935, in St. Louis, Mo., passed away on Saturday morning, April 21, 2012, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Ill.

Brown owned and operated Brown Railroad Equipment in Mitchell, Ill., for 35 years. He was known and respected by virtually everybody active in the rail construction and maintenance equipment industry.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Edwardsville, Ill., and was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1098 in Granite City, Ill. He was a member of NRC, The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association and numerous other rail industry groups. He graduated from the school of Commerce and Finance at St. Louis University in the class of 1957.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Elsie, nee Zimmer, Brown; and a brother, John Brown.

Surviving are his wife, Anita L., nee Holbrook, Brown, whom he married on Aug. 12, 1961 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Granite City, Ill.; children, Ellen (Robert) Nickrent of Edwardsville, Ill., Felicia Johnston of Virginia Beeach, Va., Daniel P. (Kelli) Brown of Glendale, Mo., and Patrick Brown of Glen Carbon, Ill.; sister, Barbara (Milton) Wallace of Spring, Texas; grandchildren, Katie and Annie Nickrent, Jennifer and Megan Johnston, Emilia, Elizabeth and John Daniel Brown; and a great-granddaughter, Olivia Repasi.

His son, Danny Brown, is actively carrying on the family legacy in the rail equipment industry. Danny is the vice president and director of equipment sales/rentals for Progress Rail Leasing/FCM Rail. He is also on the NRC Board of Directors and an active member of the NRC Auction Committee.

Tags: