Russel C. Brown, 91, of Orefield, died Oct. 26, 2013, surrounded by his wife and family in his home.

He and his wife Kathleen S. (Snyder) Brown celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary Sept. 4, with a renewal of vows ceremony in their home.

Born Jan. 3, 1922, in Sunbury, he was the son of the late Harold C. and Grace (Wagner) Brown.

He was a 1940 graduate of Allentown High School.

He faithfully and honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific.

A lifetime member of VFW Post 8344, Schnecks-ville, USS-LCI National Association, he was a 57-year member of Lehigh Lodge 326, Free and Accepted Masons, Trexlertown.

He operated Brown's Garage and Radiator Service from 1946-65 and worked at Mack Trucks from 1965 until retiring in 1985.

He was a member of Jordan United Church of Christ, Walberts, South Whitehall, where he served on consistory.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed hiking, watercolor painting, metal sculpting, boating on the Chesapeake Bay, dancing to big band music, vacationing in Canada with his family, and attending his grandchildren's sporting functions no matter what the weather.

He was on ski patrol and taught skiing at Apple Hill Ski Area, Orefield.

He was active in the Boy Scouts for many years.

Friends often bumped into him at Paul's Hardware or Norma J's Restaurant.

He lived for his wife and family and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Barry J. of Whitehall and companion Bonnie Rea-bold; daughters Barbara K. and her husband, Louis Michael, of Schnecksville, Peggy Goetz of Cohasset, Mass.; grandchildren Lenore "Lynn" and her husband, David W. Tretter Sr., of Ironton; grandsons Alex, Anders, and Connor Goetz of Cohasset, Mass., Nichole and her husband Jon Schultz of Kempton; great-grandsons David Jr. and Kyle Tretter of Ironton.

No flowers, please, due to private interment. Contributions may be made to the family c/o George G. Bensing Funeral Home, 2165 Community Drive, Bath, PA 18014.

A celebration of life with military honors is planned for 4 p.m. Nov. 2 at Jordan UCC, Walberts, 1837 Church Road, Allentown, with the Rev. Dr. David Charles Smith officiating. Calling hour from 3-4 p.m. in the church.