Frank Leslie Brown

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Frank Leslie Brown, 81, of Du Quoin, passed away at 8:12 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 at his residence.

Frank had worked at the Marissa Green Diamond Mine for 14 years. He retired as a machinist at the Captain Mine, after 25 years of service. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Du Quoin and the Anglers Sunday School Class. He was also a member of UMW of A. Frank was a very talented person. He could make just about anything. He had made hunting knives, clocks, gattlin gun cannons, swings, lawn chairs, and the last year he had been making wooden toys. He always needed a project to challenge him.

He was born Dec. 12, 1927 at Pinckneyville, Ill., the son of Gilbert and Thelma (Cross) Brown.

He married Betty June Opp on Dec. 26, 1947 at the Baptist Church Parsonage at Percy, Ill. and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, four children - Peggy Ann Carson and husband David of Macon, Ill., Frank Leslie Brown, Jr. and wife Miriel of Lenexa, Kans., Rex Dale Brown and wife Karen of Tamaroa, and Jaci Lynn Wyatt and husband Lee of Winston-Salem, N.C., nine grandchildren - Julie Carson of Macon, Ill., Bart Carson and wife Tami of Du Quoin, Brian Brown and wife Mandy of St. Joseph, Mo., Melissa Saxton and husband Justin of West Plainfield, Mich., Michael Brown and wife Keri of Shiloh, Ill., Andrea Helmer and husband Jeremy of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Lance Wyatt of Chicago, Kyle Wyatt of Washington D.C., and Jay Wyatt of Greensboro, N.C., 13 great grandchildren - Logan Carson and Jordan Carson, both of Du Quoin, Jib Carson of Macon, Ill., Lucy Brown, Lyndie Brown, and Lea Brown, all of St. Joseph, Mo., Jake Saxton, Addie Saxton, Natalie Saxton, and Jillian Saxton, all of West Plainfield, Mich., Kylie Brown, Kristin Brown, and Kerrigan Brown, all of Shiloh, Ill., one brother - Allan Brown and wife Jean of Du Quoin, and one sister-in-law - Jean Bush and husband Charles of Percy, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister - Wilma Kennedy.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Du Quoin with Rev. Joe Wagner officiating.

Friends called from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday at the First Baptist Church in Du Quoin and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday.

Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.

Friends may make memorials to the First Baptist Church Building Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of arrangements.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.