John William Brown

John William Brown, age 80, of Haubstadt, IN, passed away on December 7, 2025, at Heart-to-Heart Hospice in Evansville, IN. He was born on July 24, 1945, in McCutchanville, IN, to the late Harry W. Brown, Jr. and Margaret Brown.

John was a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Evansville. He graduated from North High School in 1963 and served in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1969. A dedicated member and past master of the Fort Branch Masonic Lodge #696, he was also affiliated with the Scottish Rite of Evansville and the Hadi Shrine of Evansville—serving on the Legion of Honor and Hospital Staff. He married Janet Roberts on September 17, 1966, and together they raised two children.

Professionally, he worked as an electrical apprentice for Whirlpool, a coal miner for Peabody Coal Company at Lynnville and Squaw Creek Mines, and at AMAX – Cypress Coal. He later owned Drill and Blast Solutions and, following retirement from the coal industry, held positions at the University of Evansville in maintenance and at M&M Hardware in Haubstadt.

In his free time, John enjoyed woodworking, riding his Harley and later his trike, spending time with his grandchildren, attending their events, and traveling with his wife. He will be missed at Friday breakfasts at Yesterdaze in Boonville with his coal mining buddies.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Jesse Gesselman; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Russell and Helen Roberts; and sister, Sarah (Sally) Burdette.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Janet Brown of Haubstadt; son, Jason (Bobbi) Brown of Haubstadt; daughter, Julie (Brian) Clesi of Indianapolis; grandchildren: Alexis (Tanner) Webster of Speedway, Brice (Kelsey) Clesi of Indianapolis, and Autumn and Raegan Brown of Haubstadt; great grandchild, Briar Webster of Speedway; and siblings: Harry (Carol) Brown of Newburgh, Sandra (Thomas) Grames of Evansville, Robert Brown of Elberfeld, and Mary (Richard) Williams of Chandler.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Stodghill Funeral Home in Fort Branch, officiated by Pastor Alan Scott, with military walk through prior to service. Visitation will be held Friday, December 12, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., including a Legion of Honor walk through and Masonic service at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Military Honors will be provided by the Veterans of Gibson County at Walnut Hill Cemetery prior to the committal service and burial on Saturday. Donations in his honor can be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital, 2900 Rocky Pointe Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or shrinerschildrens.org. Expressions of sympathy may be made at stodghillfuneralhome.com.