Wilbur Ray Brown

Mass of Christian Burial for Wilbur Ray Brown, 78, Ozawkie, will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Theresa’s Church in Perry. Cremation will follow.Mr. Brown died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006, at his home.He was born Nov. 23, 1927, in Neosho, Mo., the son of Lloyd and Eva Rinehart Brown. He graduated from Diamond (Mo.) High School in 1945. He moved from Bonner Springs to Ozawkie in 1980.Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1947. He worked as a painter at General Motors Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kan., for 30 years and retired in 1980. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Local 31 in Kansas City, Kan., St. Theresa’s Church and Knights of Columbus Council 11240, both in Perry. He also served as a scout master in Bonner Springs for many years.He married Mary Margaret Legleiter on July 24, 1951, in Kansas City, Kan. She survives, of the home. Other survivors include three sons, Rick, Ozawkie, Michael, Lawrence, and Mark, Garnett, two daughters, Leona Alpar, Mesa, Ariz., Frances Bryant, Kansas City, Kan.; a half-sister, Geneva Seals, Neosho, Mo.; 13 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. A son, Ronald R., died April 25, 2003.The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Barnett-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Oskaloosa, where a parish rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.The family suggests memorials to Jefferson County Hospice, sent in care of Barnett-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa 66066.