Gilbert E. Brown “Brownie”, 90, of Kenosha, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, surrounded by his loving family at Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie, WI. He was born on January 31, 1926, to the late Ernest and Daisy (Odum) Brown in Buncombe, IL, and was educated in the schools of Johnson County. Gilbert was drafted into the U.S. Army in May of 1944. He served during World War II in Co. F 262nd Regiment of the 66th Black Panther Infantry Division, and was honorably discharged in May of 1946. He was aboard the SS Leopoldville, crossing the English Channel, when on December 24, 1944, the ship was struck by a torpedo and sunk. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Army of Occupation Medal-Germany, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Battle Star and 3 overseas Service Stars. After moving to Kenosha he met Elaine Peterson. On June 21, 1952, they were married in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the American Legion and Disable American Veterans. Gilbert worked for Kenosha Motor Coach, before joining the Kenosha Unified Schools retiring in 1991 from Forest Park Elementary School. His most loved and cherished pastime was gardening and growing fresh vegetables for his family. Gilbert is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elaine; his children, Gerald (Jane) Brown of Savage, MN, Donald (Peggy) Brown of St. Frances, MN, James (Terri) Brown of Glendale, AZ, and Kenneth Brown of Kenosha; two sisters, Sally (Gene) Simko and Betty Gregurech; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Bill, Bob, Everett, and Paul; and sister, Ernestine. Our most heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Hospice House for the caring and compassion that they have shown Gilbert and his family. Funeral services for Gilbert will be held on Thursday, August 11th, at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park in the “New Serenity Mausoleum Chapel” at 2:00 p.m. Interment with full military honors will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice Alliance of Kenosha or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Gilbert’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com