Virgil Eugene "Gene" Brown, 90, Columbus, died at 2 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehab in Columbus.

He was born in Brown County, Dec. 9, 1922, the son of the late Virgil Emmitt and Ruth Elizabeth Neff Brown. He married Bonnie Mae Bay on June 26, 1945. She survives.

Gene was a 1941 graduate of Brown County High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 and was a member of the 134th Infantry division. During the war, he was held as a German prisoner of war. He worked at Cummins Engine Co. for 43 years. Gene was a member of Columbus First Church of the Nazarene and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. His hobbies included gardening, sharpshooting, fishing, fly making and spending time with family.

In addition to his wife, Gene is survived by children, Sherrie (John) McDonald and Doug (Cathy) Brown; grandchildren, Daryl (Rhonda) Eickbush, Debbie Amstutz, Ross (Jeanna) Eickbush, Heather and Tony McDonald, Regiana (George) Sistevaris, Jessica (Tommy) Loboda and Pollianna Brown; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lou Ann (Jerry) Mihay, Kay (Marvin) Frownfelter, Wayne (Rose) and Dale (Jeannine) Brown; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Bonnie "Peachie" Brown Gaither; sisters, Mary Esther Brown and Ruth Ernestine Bertotti; and brothers, Noel "Rock" and Marshall Brown.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at First Church of the Nazarene, 1245 McClure Road, with the Rev. Robert Muncie and the Rev. Damon Spurgeon officiating. Calling will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday Jan. 3 at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Gideon's International or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.