M. Clifford Cliff Brown

M. Clifford (Cliff) Brown, the son of Marion Wesley and Rosanna Lois (Mitchell) Brown, was born January 19, 1921, on a farm west of Corning, Iowa. Cliff entered eternal rest on Monday, July 13, 2015, at Corning Nursing and Rehab Center, Corning, IA., at the age of 94 years, 5 months, and 24 days.
Cliff’s early education was at Ankeny Country School in Adams County and he graduated from Corning High School in 1938. Cliff served his country as a mess Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Army from 1942 through 1945. He was stationed in the European Theatre in the 554th Michigan Engineers of the Heavy Pontoon Division. On May 5, 2009, he participated in a Western Iowa Honor Flight to Washington D.C. The honor flight celebrated the service and sacrifice of war veterans of WWII, Korean, and the Vietnam Wars.
On June 28 1944, Cliff married Illah Merle Scott, in Austin, TX. They celebrated 71 years of marriage this year. Three children were born to bless this union: Doug, Susan, and Sandee. Cliff was a lifelong farmer who started by helping his father and area farmers. Cliff then started his own farming operation raising Angus cattle, feeder pigs, dairy, chickens, and sheep. Cliff’s operation would grow to 1,000 acres. This would include the original “Brown” farm and would eventually be recognized as a “century farm”. Cliff followed in his father’s steps as he believed in the conservation of the soils, protecting wild life and water sources. Cliff and Illah then moved from the farm to town in 1973. Their son Doug entered into partnership with Cliff and Illah in 1973. Upon retirement from active farming, Cliff continued to tile and terrace his land. The family was interviewed and on television’s “Farm Family of the Week,-WOW, Channel 6”, on November 20, 1970. Cliff and Doug received the Adams County & State of Iowa Top Conservation Award in 1985 and they won awards almost every year in the corn and soybean yield contests.
Cliff collected pig knick-knacks from all over the world. He had a black 1929 Model-A Ford Roadster with a rumble seat. He also had a 1937 John Deere Model G. He enjoyed driving both in parades. Cliff and Illah enjoyed square dancing.
Cliff was baptized as a young man. He was a member of the rural Fairview United Church of Christ, and later the United Methodist Church in Corning where he was active. Cliff joined Instruction Lodge, #275, A.F. & A.M. in 1952 and became a 32nd degree Mason later. He served 2 years as Worshipful Master of his lodge and joined Eastern Star in 1955 where he served several offices including Worthy Patron many times. He was a 60 year member of the American Legion and a charter member of the Adams County Cattlemen’s Association. He served on several boards including Corning Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau, Corning Creamery and Rural Electric Coop.
He enjoyed his family, especially his 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. The Brown family held annual family reunions and this was a special joy.
Left to cherish Cliff’s passing are his loving wife Illah; his son: Doug (Diane) Brown, Corning, IA.; daughters: Susan (Wayne) Wallingford, Cape Girardeau, MO., and Sandee (Tom) Werblow, North Platte, NE.; grandchildren: London, Holly, Brandon, Amy, Aaron, and Natalie; great grandchildren: Forest, Graeme, Zane, Emery, Hannah, Carson, Brinleigh Eden, Hadassah, and Caleb; Sisters: Lois Scott, Clearfield, IA., and Joann Morris, Omaha, NE., Judy (Dennis) Grantham, Denver, CO., and Rosanna Walker, Moorhead, MN.; sister-in-law: Judy Brown, McKinney, TX; Darlene Brown, Papillion, NE.
Preceding Cliff in death were his parents; brothers: Bernard & Gerald Brown; sister: Berneita Dunham; brother-in- laws: Gerald Scott, Byron Ogburn, Morrie Dunham, and Floyd Morris.