Francis X. Brown, 86, of Wapakoneta, died 3:04 a.m., Tues. March 21, 2017, at The Gardens of Wapakoneta.

He was born Nov. 7, 1930, in Glynwood, OH, the son of Roy & Alodia (Oen) Brown, who preceded him in death. On Sept. 23, 1953, he married Mary Yahl, who died Aug. 14, 1986. On June 16, 1989, he married Ruth (Backs) Giere, and she survives.

Other survivors, 7 children, Sue (James) Freisthler, Sidney; Robert (Linda Kohnen) Brown, Wapakoneta; Edward (Nancy Hahn) Brown, Botkins; Ronald (Karen Huber) Brown; Patty (Rusty) Wright; Joseph Brown; Jeff (Jeanne Manuel) Brown; all of Wapakoneta, 7 step-children, Connie (Gary) Schmitz, Gahanna, OH; Paula Giere, Dublin, OH; Tom Giere, Powell, OH; John Giere, Laconia, NH; Annette (Joe) Steiner, Lebanon, OH; Amy (Dennis) Smith, Carmel, IN; Molly Giere, Fort Collins, CO; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, siblings, Rev. Harold Brown, C.PP.S., Bellevue, OH; Alvin Brown, New Bremen, OH; Mary Yahl, Botkins, OH; Ann Leinweber, St. Marys, OH; Agnes (Cletus) Schmerge, LaSalle, CO; Rev. Joseph Brown, C.PP.S., Carthagena, OH; John (Pam) Brown, Celina, OH; David (Jeannette) Brown, St. Marys, OH; Dr. Virgil (Mary Ellen) Brown, Wapakoneta; Theresa (Richard) Ramga, Wapakoneta; a sister-in-law, Ruth Brown, Wapakoneta; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by 2 brothers & spouse, Anthony (Dorothy) Brown and Paul Brown, 2 step daughters-in-law, Bertha "Bert" Heitkamp Giere & Lorraine Kremer Giere, 2 brothers-in-law, William Yahl and Richard Leinweber, and a sister-in-law, Ruth Brown.

Mr. Brown served with the U.S. Army in the Korean War. He later founded Brown Construction and took pride in building quality homes. In his spare time, he was an avid raccoon hunter, fox trapper and fisherman.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Botkins, and the Auglaize County Farm Bureau. He also enjoyed grain and hog farming for over 50 years, as well as spending time with his family and grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Fri. March 24, 2017, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Botkins, with his brother, Rev. Harold Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Botkins.

The family will receive friends from 3-8 p.m., Thurs. at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, 1102 Lincoln Ave. (St. Rt. 501), Wapakoneta.

Memorials may be directed to the Window Restoration Fund at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Glynwood or the Wapakoneta FFA.

Condolences may be expressed at www.bayliffandeleyfh.com.