Donald K. “Don” “D.K.” Brown, 91, of Abingdon, died at 2:50 a.m. Sunday, July 12, 2026, in St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
He was born June 17, 1935, in Galesburg, the son of Clark and Ruth Frances (Peterson) Brown. He married Janice Elaine Butts on October 30, 1955, in Abingdon.
He is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Elaine; five children, Steven (Judy) Brown of Cairo, Missouri, Mark (Traci) Brown of Abingdon, Rodney (Megan) Brown of Knoxville, Jeffrey (Debbie) Brown of Abingdon, and Lisa (Bill) Gordon of Cumberland City, Tennessee; 14 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; three sisters, Dorothy Murdock of Wataga, Carol McGrew of Kahoka, Missouri, and Catherine (Tom) Kimmel of Kendallville, Indiana; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Richard Brown, Robert Brown, Mary Beetler, and Joann Coffey.
Don was a lifelong farmer, who still went to the farm each day to look after his 80 head of cattle. Along with farming, Don and Elaine maintained several family businesses over the years including Brown’s Redi-Mix, Brown’s Corn By-Products, Brown Oil Company, and Brown’s Trucking. Don and Elaine were active members of the former Abingdon Congregational Church.
Cremation will be accorded. Visitation will be 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral and Cremation Services of Abingdon. Graveside service will follow at 11 a.m. in the Abingdon Cemetery with Drew Carter officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Abingdon American Legion or Tunnels to Towers Foundation. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
