Cecil Franklin Brown, 72, of Mascoutah, IL, born June 4, 1952, in Pensacola, FL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Shiloh, IL.
Cecil was a very patriotic, dedicated, and loyal member of the United States Air Force where he served for 26 years. He served at Richards-Gebaur Air Force in Missouri, Iraklion Air Station in Crete, Greece, Shaw Air Force Air Force Base in South Carolina, Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. He also was an important part of the Prisoners of War Commission in varying parts of Russia and Eastern Europe. He retired from the Air Force and worked as a contractor for Tri-Cor in O’Fallon, Illinois.
Cecil especially enjoyed being involved in the local church wherever he was stationed. He loved working and being with kids in Children’s Church. He was an elder and deacon in the local church, taught Sunday School, and planned and shared communion meditations during worship services.
He was a loving and involved husband, father and grandfather (Papa). His personal interests included fishing, photography, gardening, being a gun enthusiast, bird watching, being outdoors, and having backyard barbecues. He also enjoyed technology and was good with computers.
Everyone enjoyed Cecil’s personality and humor. He loved to be silly and tease, to laugh and to help people be at ease. Cecil was always a hard worker, persistent, dedicated and loyal to everyone, especially his family. He was “Mr. Wonderful.”
Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Elsie Brown (nee Clark).
Left to cherish Cecil’s memory are his beloved wife, Jacquelyn S. Brown (nee Manning) of Mascoutah, IL; their two children, Terri (Jim) Oberts of O’Fallon, IL, Bob (Becky) Brown of Cedar City, UT; three siblings, Robert (Mary) Brown of Appleton, WS, Dianna Eskuche of Jacksonville, FL, Anthony (Charlotte) Brown of Sanford, FL; four grandchildren, Jacob Martin, Joshua Martin, Trinity Brown, Rachel Brown; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America; https://www.pva.org/. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Copper Creek Christian Church; 2184 Vadalabene Dr., Maryville, IL 62062.
Memorial service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Copper Creek Christian Church with Pastor Jeff Chamberlain officiating.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.
