Clarence Brown

Clarence "Bruce" Brown, 75, of Wappapello, Mo., died Monday, April 12, 2010, at Citizens Medical Center, Victoria, Texas.

He was born Nov. 27, 1934, at Bardwell, Ky., the son of Clarence and Katherine Walters Brown. He married Margaret Craft on Oct. 19, 1979. She survives him.

Clarence retired with more than 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a gunnery seargent. He was also a veteran of the Vietnam War.

He was retired from the Illinois Department of Corrections, having worked at the Menard and Tamms locations. Clarence loved his old cars, doing carpentry work and just "piddling."

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Wappapello, Mo.; four sons, William Brown of Lexington, Ky., Ricky and Carl Brown, both of Bristol, Tenn., Eddie Dittlinger of Oklahoma; two daughters, Norleen (Harold) Smith of Wolf Lake, Ill., Robin Dittlinger (Rodney Hawthorn) of St. Mary's, Mo.; six grandchildren, Christine, Thomas, Jessica, Josie, Jada, Martinique; two great-grandchildren, Alexander and Cody; very special friend, Mr. Leon Murphy of Cape Girardeau; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Crain Funeral Home, 829 N. West End Blvd., Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Lorimier Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.