John Arwell Brown, age 75 of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away at Regency Hospital in Sylvania Sunday evening surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 9, 1947 in Bowling Green, Ohio, to Opal (Richmond) and Maurice Brown.
He is survived by his wife Madge Hommel Brown whom he married on November 17, 1978. He is survived by sons Michael (Sheila) Brown, Todd (Jennifer) Brown, Gordon (Robin) Digby and one daughter, Amy Digby Long. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Garrett Brown, Bailey (Andy) Cumston, Alec (Hailey) Brown, Blaine (Sabine Worthoff) Brown, Clayton Brown, Eli Brown, AJ (Savannah) Digby, Ashlynn Digby, Keegan Digby, Kiley Long, and Hanna (Josh Edwards) Long. Survivors also include sister Linda (Troy) Smith, sister-in-law Carol (Richard) Wilcox, and many nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by a sister Coleen Perry and a brother Ronald Brown.
He graduated from Otsego schools in 1965 where he was active in football, basketball, and baseball. He carried his love of baseball over to coaching all three sons in Southwood Baseball League. He also played in a softball league with his three sons for over thirty years, until he unwillingly retired from the game in his mid-50’s. He was the voice of the Knights Football team for thirty years (1977 – 2007) which includes their state runner up season in 1981. He was inducted into the Otsego Alumni Hall of Fame in 2015 recognizing him for his lifetime of work supporting Otsego schools.
As proud grandparents, he along with his wife traveled extensively to support their eleven grandchildren sporting events, cheering activities, & numerous concerts. This includes visiting many US states, Puerto Rico, Rio De Janerio, Paris, London, Germany, and Austria. Nothing made him happier than being able to follow and support his children and grandchildren.
In his professional career, he was a CAD Designer for various engineering firms which included McDonald Proudfoot, SFT, Poggemeyers, and Wood County Engineers. Previously to this he was a salesman at Modern Woodsman Insurance in both NW Ohio and Illinois. He was a member of Tontogany Presbyterian Church where he enjoyed sharing his Christian love with friends and fellow parishioners. He was active in Weston City Council and a founding member of the Weston Citizens for Sports. His other affiliations included the Masons and Otsego Athletic Boosters.
John made friends easily and will be missed by many. He will be remembered as a loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, and Son. Memorial contributions can be made to the Otsego Athletic Boosters or Tontogany Presbyterian Church.
Visitation for John will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, 1460 W. Wooster Street, Bowling Green. John’s funeral will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow at Tontogany Cemetery.
Hanneman Funeral Homes is honored to serve John’s family and encourage those to share a fond memory or condolence by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.
