Ella Marie Beechner Brown, 89, died in the early morning hours of Friday, March 20, 2026, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be Monday, March 30, from 4 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 5:30 p.m. at Bramley Funeral Home located at 150 Reichert Road in Divernon with Jesse Orme officiating. A time of gathering will follow in the reception room. Burial will be at a later date at Rovey Cemetery in Farmersville.
Mrs. Brown was born on Jan. 12, 1937, in Cameron, MO, to Marvin and Lois “Mildred” McCollough Beechner. She spent much of her childhood in Missouri, moving frequently and attending over ten different elementary schools due to her father’s employment as a swine herder and feed dealer. Through these experiences, she learned to make friends easily and developed the warm, engaging personality that would remain with her throughout her life. In the early 1950s, she moved to Farmersville, where she graduated from Farmersville High School with the class of 1954.
On Jan. 26, 1957, she married Glenn A. Brown. Together they raised four children: Linda S. (Lynn) Boston of Girard, Larry J. Brown of Springville, TN, Stephen P. (Renee) Brown of Morrisonville and Brian L. Brown (Crysta Weitekamp) of Springfield.
Mrs. Brown worked at Art’s Restaurant in Farmersville. She continued her career path at Dickey-John Corporation for 24 years, where she rose to a leadership position. She retired in January of 1999. As her parents aged, she and Glenn were instrumental in their care and also the care of her beloved Aunt Frances. In retirement, Mrs. Brown continued to enjoy life through outings with friends and time spent with grandchildren at their sporting events. She enjoyed painting ceramics and created many keepsakes that her family enjoys to this day. She laughed easily and brought joy to those around her. Mrs. Brown was also a great St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Mrs. Brown served as a member of St. Mary’s Altar Society and gave her time helping with church bazaars. She was talented and creative. She took great pride in remodeling several rooms in her home. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends, bowling and serving as a Boy Scout den mother, creating many fond memories for her children and others.
Family was at the heart of Mrs. Brown’s life. For many years, she and her husband spent meaningful time with her parents—helping them with household chores, sharing Sunday breakfasts and making Christmas stollen bread. She and her husband loved working the daily crossword in the State Journal Register along with doing puzzles.
Mrs. Brown was a strong and courageous woman who led her family with love and grace. She faced adversity with strength and found joy in everyday moments. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
In addition to her children, Mrs. Brown is survived by her grandchildren: Janelle (Robert) Fanning of Girard; Kelly Boston (Matt Bostick) of Farmersville; Allison Boston of Girard; Matthew (Jessica) Boston of Girard; Jarrad (Jackie) Brown of Springfield; Ethan (Katie) Brown of Morrisonville; Alyssa (Matthew) Rever of Raeford, NC and Leyton (Alyssa) Brown of Urbana; and great-grandchildren Olivia and Charlotte Fanning, Kallen Bostick, Easton, Landon and Peyton Boston, Andrew and Tyler Brown, Trenton and Adalyn Rever and Nora Mae Brown.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Frank E. (Bud) Beechner and Benjamin Beechner; sister-in-law Paulette Beechner; daughter-in-law Joliene Brown; and grandson Andrew Paul Brown.
Memorial donations to Farmersville/Waggoner ambulance services. Condolences may be left online at www.bramleyfh.com.
