Bernard “Wayne” Brown passed peacefully in slumber Aug. 17, 2016.

Mr. Brown was born near Nashville on Oct. 29, 1924, to Virgil Emmett Brown and Ruth Elizabeth Neff Brown.

Mr. Brown was a graduate of Nashville High School as well as Indiana Business College, from which he earned his public accountant degree. Mr. Brown worked for many years for the Indiana Public Employees’ Retirement Fund and also the Indiana State Board of Accounts.

Mr. Brown married (Justine) Rose Harding (Nashville) on March 22, 1946; the couple recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Mr. Brown is survived by his wife; daughters, Constance Brown and Camille Willmore of Columbus and Teresa Artman of Carmel; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; siblings, Jesse Dale Brown of Nashville, Kay Frownfelter of Clermont and Lou Ann Mihay of Columbus; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Brown was preceded in death by both of his parents and the following siblings: infant sister Mary Esther Brown, Ruth Ernestine “Tene” Bertotti,  Noel Meredith “Rock” Brown and Virgil Eugene “Gene” Brown.

Mr. Brown was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Columbus. He was an avid genealogist, contributing historical artifacts and family research to the Brown County Historical Society and writing historical pieces for the Brown County Democrat. He was an accomplished painter, exhibiting his works in regional shows, having studied under Brown County notable artists Dwight Steininger and Frederick Rigley, among others.

Private services will be held for close family, and Mr. Brown will be buried in Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus.

The family kindly asks that any memorials in Mr. Brown’s name be offered to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or the Brown County Historical Society.

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Brown family at barkesweaverglick.com.