Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Newton Zion Reformed Church, 10465 Frog Pond Road, Erie, followed by a Celebration of Life from 5-8 p.m. at “The Besse Farm”, 722 5th Avenue, Erie. Memorials may be made to the Erie Ambulance Service. Gibson-Bode Funeral Home, Erie, is in care of the arrangements.
Charlie was born August 26, 1951, in Moline, Illinois, the son of Charles William Brown, Sr. and Iva (Hogarth) Brown. He graduated from Erie High School in 1969. After graduating he had a brief stint in the Armed Forces. He then married Linda Heun in January 1972 and together they raised two children Jen and Chris. He later married Lynn (Plumb) Deines on August 7, 2010 in Green Lake, Wisconsin, where they enjoyed spending summers on the lake.
Charlie had a love for agriculture his entire life. In the early 1980’s he started Erie Ag Service, CP Farms, and B&Y Grain with his partner, Paul Young. In 1999, he started DJC Applications Inc with his kids and continued to spend the rest of his life in the custom fertilizer and chemical business most recently partnering with Whiterock Ag.
He was always community minded. He helped start the restaurant Charlie Brown with the goal of having a place for kids to hang out. He served for many years on the ECUSD 1 school board. He was a member of Newton Zion Reformed Church. Charlie was an avid golfer, loved fishing for Crappie and Walleyes. Charlie loved kids and was a mentor to many, but most of all he cared deeply for his family and loved watching his grandkids in all of their activities.
He is survived by his wife Lynn of Erie; children Jen (Drew) Temple, Erie, Chris (Angie) Brown, Erie, Robert (Lisa) Deines, Port Byron, Dan (Adriane) Deines, LeClaire, Cole Deines, LeClaire; grandchildren, Katelyn (Owen) McConnell, Brynn and Caleb Brown, Carter and Stella Deines, and Carter, Elle, and Ethan Deines; great grandchildren, Brior, Wrenlee, and Ruth McConnell; sisters, Marty Klimstra, Trudy Bell; and mother-in-law, Betty Plumb. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Glenda Brown.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles “Charlie”, please visit the floral store.
Condolences can be shared at gibsonbodefh.com.
One Response
So very sorry to hear of Charlie’s passing. He was a great friend of my father Les Litwiller. Our prayers are with you all.