Charlie "Chuck" Brown

March 6, 1949 - January 3, 2016

Charles "Charlie" "Chuck" Brown, 66, of Vandalia passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at9:30am, Sunday, January 3, 2016 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Services for Mr. Brown will be held at 10:30am, Friday, January 8, 2016 at Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia with Rev. Joe Lawson officiating.  Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00pm, Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia with Masonic Services at 6:30pm. Burial will follow funeral services Friday in Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia with military rites accorded by the US Marine Corps.  Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.  Charles David Brown, also know as "Charlie" or "Chuck", was born March 6, 1949 in Vandalia, the son of David J. "Sadie" and Eileen M. (Cross) Brown. Charlie was a highly decoratedUS Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran receiving several awards and citations that included the Navy Cross, Bronze Star with Valor Insignia, and two Purple Hearts.  He married Lynn Lunceford on February 2, 1970 in Conway, SC prior to his honorable discharge from the US Marine Corps.  They moved back to Vandalia where Charlie worked as a supervisor for Owens Brockway Plastics and was also involved in several civic organizations.  He was a member of the Mason's Temperance Lodge #16, Vandalia Old National Trail Shrine Club, AINAD Shriners, East St. Louis, IL, Royal Order of Jesters Court #86, VFW Post #3862, Vandalia Moose Lodge #1447, and co-founder of Second Chance Animal Rescue in Fayette County. Charlie was a loving father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, brother and a Marine Corps Veteran. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Lynn; daughters Stephanie Carter and special friend Kurt Allen of Ramsey, Amy and husband Barry Lenderman of Brandenburg, KY, Brandi Bolyard and special friend David Bolyard of Vandalia; sisters Tanna Brown and special friend Jerry Wall and Andrea "Andy" and husband Gene Hudson of Arnold, MO; grandchildren Chad Brown, Jessica Willis, Jake Willis, Kourtney Bolyard, and Hailey Lenderman; great grandchild Jarrett Brown; several nieces and nephews; and his devoted Doberman Minnie. He was preceded in death by his parents.