Delbert Lee Brown

Celebration of life services for Delbert Lee Brown, 72, Knoxville, who passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at his home, will be held 11 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2020 at the Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville. A visitation with the family present will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Following services, burial of cremains with military honors will be held at Graceland Cemetery, Knoxville, IA.

Delbert Lee Brown was born on March 8, 1947 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, he was the eldest son of Delbert and Lois Maxine (Busick) Brown. Delbert and his eight siblings were raised in Knoxville, where he attended school, and was proud to be part of the Class of 1965. About a year after graduation, Delbert served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 as an Administrative Clerk in South Korea, during the Vietnam Conflict.

After serving in the Army, Delbert came back to Knoxville and worked for a short time at the V.A. Medical Center in town, but decided to work in the family business, Brown’s Sanitation, for awhile. Delbert later went back to the V.A. Medical Center and worked as an aide and then later worked as an aide at the Clearview Manor in Prairie City.

Delbert was a lifelong musician. He could play several instruments by ear and he could play many types of music, and especially enjoyed playing gospel music. For numerous years Delbert was a devoted volunteer with the Helping Hands of Knoxville.

Those left to honor and cherish Delbert’s memory include his siblings, Mary Ellen (Richard) Goode of Indianola, Carolyn Nearmyer of Knoxville, Linda Van Wyngarden of Knoxville, John (Gerry) Brown of Knoxville, Joe (Karen) Brown of Knoxville, Jody (Michelle) Brown of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and sister-in-law, Jo Heigele of Bussey. Aunts, Bonnie Hill of Knoxville and Rosella Schlegel of Des Moines; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and family.

Delbert was preceded in death by his parents Delbert and Lois; two brothers Jay and Jason Brown; and his brother-in-law Carroll Nearmyer.

A memorial has been established in Delbert’s name to go towards funeral expenses. The Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville is assisting Delbert’s family with services.