Donald Franklin Brown, 78, of Hillsboro died Jan. 8, 2023. Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Navy on the Forrestal. He retired from the Fenton Fire Protection District as a firefighter paramedic. He also worked for the Creve Coeur Fire Protection District and later volunteered for the Cedar Hill Fire Protection District, Big River Ambulance District, Valle Ambulance District, Goldman Fire Protection District and Hillsboro Fire Protection District, and he was a longtime chairman for the Hillsboro Fire Protection District Board of Directors. He was a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Studios as well. Mr. Brown was a Christian and enjoyed studying and debating the Bible, as well as watching Bible-based movies and documentaries. He also like watching westerns, historic shows and YouTube videos, along with fishing, golfing and collecting many items. Most of all he loved spending time with his friends and family. Born Nov. 7, 1944, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Grace E. (McCoy) and Harrie A. Brown.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years: Ruth (Heeter) Brown of Hillsboro; a daughter: Carrie (Chris) Carmack of Dittmer; a son: Matthew Brown of Florida; a stepson: David (Angela) Rose of De Soto; a half brother: John (Sherry) Barker of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren: Cristal (Dan) Wolf, Michael, Cassidy (Josh) Eastbrook, Mason, Jennifer (Jerame) Peebles, Autumn and Summer; seven great-grandchildren: Andrew, Breah, Gabe, T.J., Skylar, Koda and Jacy; a special cousin: DiAnn McCoy of Houston, Texas; a special niece: Janet Stone of San Antonio, Texas; three brothers-in-law: Marvin Heifner, Tim Clark and Richard (Judy) Heeter; a sister-in-law: Joann Brown; his former wife: Gwen Stevens; and many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Ronald A. Brown and H. Gilbert Brown; a half-sister: Sherry Clark; a son-in-law: Paul Kleve; two sisters-in-law: Mary Heeter and Carol Heifner; and a nephew: Brian Heeter.
Visitation and services were Jan. 12 at Robert D. Brown Funeral Home in Hillsboro with fire department honors. Memorials may be made to BackStoppers or Vitas Hospice. Arrangements were under the direction of Robert D. Brown Funeral Home.