Elijah Brown Jr. of Chester

Elijah Brown Jr., 73, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 11:04 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 at his residence.

He was born to the late Elijah Sr. and Josephine (nee Seals) Brown on Jan. 5, 1949 in Sunflower, Mississippi.

Elijah married Elaine Lyghtle on June 26, 2010 in Chester; and she survives.

He was a correctional sergeant at Menard Correctional Center in Chester until his retirement.

Elijah was a member of the American Legion Post #487, VFW Post #3553 and the Eagles Club Aerie #3252 in Chester. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. Elijah loved sports and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.

He was a Marine Corps veteran and served in the Vietnam War.

Elijah is survived by his wife, Elaine Brown of Chester; two children, Ethan Brown of Decatur, Illinois and Veronica (John) Sanchious of Alabama; eight siblings, Ovell (Frances) Brown of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Harvey (Clarissa) Merriweather of Tamms, Illinois, Wesley Merriweather of Oakland, California, Johnny Warren of Cape Girardeau, Linda Merriweather of Las Vegas, Nevada, Deborah Merriweather of Belleville, Illinois, Glenda Weaver of Tamms, Illinois and Callie Merriweather (Robert) Ramsey, of Belleville, Illinois; two sisters-in-law, Robin Merriweather of St. Louis and Helen Merriweather of Carbondale, Illinois; three aunts, Ella Mae Cassel of Charleston, Missouri and Irene Lott and Elizabeth English, both of Cleveland, Ohio; four grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Savion Smith of Nashville, Tennessee and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Elijah was preceded in death by his father, Elijah Brown Sr.; his mother, Josephine Merriweather; his stepfather, Fletcher Merriweather; one son, Elijah Brown; and two brothers, Jerome Merriweather and Savoy Merriweather.

The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 at Pechacek Funeral Homes in Chester, officiated by the Rev. Phillip Keeton. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Chester.

Visitation will be held prior to the funeral, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials can be directed to family choice.

To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit www.wpfh.net.