Martha Brown

Martha Marie Brown, 83, of Beardstown, died Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Beardstown Health & Rehab Center.

She was born on January 15, 1941, in Pittsfield, IL, the daughter of George and Ida (Barton) Ducey. She married Jerry Brown on June 15, 1963, in Pittsfield.

Surviving are four children, Cindy (husband, Steven) Wagner of Dardenne Prairie, MO., Sandra (husband, Jeff) Lux of Beardstown, IL, Susan (husband, Joel) Moore of O'Fallon, MO, and Chris (wife, Janel) Brown of Chesterfield, MO.; six grandchildren, Zach Wagner, Jed (Grace) Lux, Jake (Rachel) Lux, Morgan Moore, Cooper and Shelby Brown; her sister Mary Francis (husband, Bruce) Wisner of Champaign, IL, and her sister-in-law Debbie (husband, Andy) Dugan of Griggsville, IL. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Brown, her parents, her brother Billy Ducey and sister Betty Ann Ducey.

Martha graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1959 and St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing at Quincy in 1962. She was employed at the Beardstown Clinic for 28 years, until her retirement in 2003.

She was a faithful and dedicated member of St. Alexius Catholic Church in Beardstown, serving as lector and Eucharistic minister. Martha was charitable with her time, delivering Meals on Wheels and was an active member of the Beardstown Exchange Club. Martha also enjoyed playing cards, golf, reading, and crocheting. She was devoted to her family and loved her time spent with them.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 AM Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in Beardstown. Burial will follow at St. Alexius Catholic Cemetery. The rosary will be said at 4 PM Tuesday at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown, with the family meeting friends following the rosary until 7 PM at the memorial home. Central Illinois Nurse Honor Guard will perform Nurses Honors at 7 PM on Tuesday at the memorial home.

Memorials have been suggested to Masses at St. Alexius Catholic Church or Parkinson's Foundation. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.