SIGOURNEY-Calvin Leroy Brown, age 97, of Sigourney, died Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at his current residence, the Manor House Care Center.

Calvin Leroy (Buster) Brown was born April 25, 1919, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Oris C. and Ona M. (Turner) Brown, but was raised from age two by his mother Ona and stepfather, Richard L. Chrisman in the Hayesville and Hedrick areas. Leroy graduated from Sigourney High School in 1936 and continued to work with his stepfather in the purchasing of poultry. He was united in marriage to Winifred M. Sheridan September 14, 1940 at the Sigourney Christian Church parsonage by Rev. Leo Potter. He became the father of two sons - Larry L. and Thomas J. Brown.

In 1940 he established his own produce business, while also working winters at John Morrell & Company in Ottumwa, Iowa. He continued working these jobs until December 1943, when he enlisted and entered active military service in the Army Air Force. He served for 22 months during World War II in the European Theater, where he served as a nose gunner on a B-24 bomber crew as part of the 15th Air Force stationed in Italy.

Upon his discharge from the Army, Leroy continued his poultry business, as well as raising broilers and laying hens. He established the Brown Feed and Supply on their farm near Lancaster, Iowa. He retired in 1982 after 42 years in business but continued to farm.

Leroy was a member of Lancaster Christian Church since January of 1951, where he served as Deacon and Elder, Sunday School teacher and Superintendent and was on the church board and farm committee for many years. He was also a member of V.F.W. Post #2308, the 98th Bomb Group Veterans Association, Keokuk County Farm Bureau, A.A.R.P. and the Lancaster Heritage Foundation.

Survivors include two sons: Larry and wife Marcia and Thomas and wife Barbara; four grandchildren: Jason, Derek, Kimberly and Ashley as well as four great grandchildren: Isabel, Nora Lee, Petra and Keegan Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather; wife: Winifred in 2012; granddaughter: Dawn Desiree Brown; half-sister: Mabel Harris and step-brothers: Allen, Vernon and Charles Chrisman.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 13, 2016, at the Lancaster Christian Church, with Revs. Dirk Alspach and Dave Matteson officiating. Burial will be at Pennington Cemetery in rural Sigourney. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at Powell Funeral Home in Sigourney.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Lancaster Christian Church or the Sigourney Public Library. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Leroy and his family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.