Norman Lee Brown

Norman L Brown Sr., Most Illustrious Grand Master 2000-2001, of Lake Village, Indiana, passed away on March 16, 2001

Norman Lee Brown, Sr. was born in East Chicago, IN. on February 20th, 1948 to Norman Edward and Violet M. Bolinger Brown. Norman and Pat Bruechet were married in  Honolulu, Hawaii on April 10th, 1969 while Norman was on a temporary leave from the U.S. Air Force in Viet Nam. Norman graduated from Mt. Ayr High School, Mt. Ayr, IN. in 1966.  Following high school he enlisted and served with the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1971.  After his military service he went to work for Inland Steel Co. in East Chicago, IN., later to become Ispat-Inland Steel where he has been employed for the past 27 years working in the Manufacturing Maintenance and Engineering Depts.

Surviving are his wife Pat, sons, Norman, his wife Valerie and their son Kyle of Wheatfield, and Quinten, his wife Valarie and their son Hayden of DeMotte, one sister Donna Brown Lamb of Cedar Lake  and Step-mother Helen Brown of Roscommon, MI.  Norman was preceded in death by his Parents and Step-father.

Companion Norman was raised a Master Mason in Howard O. Hunter Lodge No. 751, Lake Village, Indiana on January 26th, 1990.  He served as Worshipful Master in 1993 and has served as Secretary since 1994.  Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in 1990 and served as High Priest of Rensselaer Chapter No. 150, Rensselaer, Indiana in 1992 and 1995.  He was greeted a Select Master in 1990 and served as Illustrious Master of Adoniram Council No. 109, Rensselaer, Indiana in 1992 and 1994. Served as Illustrious Master of Ish Sodi Council No. 1855 U. D. of the Grand Council of Indiana in 1999, and holds a Dual Membership in Tippecanoe Council No. 68, Lafayette, Indiana.  He was knighted a Knight Templar in 1990 and served as Commander of Lafayette Commandery No. 3, Lafayette, Indiana in 1993.  He later became a Charter Member of H. W. Matthewson Commandery No. 66, Rensselaer, Indiana and has served as Commander in 1999 and again in 2000.

Additional Masonic Affiliations included; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Indianapolis, Indiana, Northwest Indiana York Rite College No.73 where he is the present Secretary and received his Order of the Purple Cross in 1998.  St. Basil Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, J. Herbert Nichols Priory No. 76, Knights of the York Rite Cross of Honor, David R. Ford Council No.338, AMD, Yeomen of York, Merrillville Preceptor No. 1 and served as Director General of Lafayette Preceptory No. 3.  He is a Past Patron of Lowell Chapter No.360, Lowell, Indiana, serving as patron in 1995, 1997 and 1999.  Norman is a Thrice Illustrious Master of Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan.  He was appointed as Grand Representative to South Dakota for the Grand Council of Indiana and Grand Representative to Finland for the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Indiana.  Holds Honorary Memberships in Wheatfield Lodge No. 642 and Lowell Lodge No. 378 both of Indiana. Has been a member of the American Legion for 30 years and was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in April of 2000.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Tuesday, March 20th 2001, from 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Boersma Funeral Home, 90 East Grove St., Wheatfield, IN.  Masonic Services will be held at 7:00 p.m.  Services will be held on Wednesday, March 21st 2001, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Sammuel Robinson officiating.  Internment will be at the Roselawn Cemetery in Roselawn, Indiana.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CMMRF envelopes are available at the Funeral Home.