JOHN JAY BROWNING

John Browning

John Jay Browning, 92, of Rushville died at 12:45 a.m. Aug. 6, 2015, at Rushville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born Sept. 22, 1922, in Rushville, a son of James H. and Berniece Euyler Browning. He married Dorothy B. Frederick on Dec. 26, 1943, in Green Cove Springs, Fla. She preceded him in death on Nov. 27, 1975. He later married Marjorie F. Hare Dean on July 24, 1993, in Rushville. She preceded him in death on Feb. 20, 2015.

He also was preceded in death by one infant son, James Browning; and one brother, Donald L. Browning.

Surviving are two daughters, Janice A. Marshall of Prescott, Ariz., and Sandra K. Lundy of Rushville; one son, Richard J. Browning of Eugene, Ore.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He served in World War II as a Marine Corps Fighter Pilot (Corsair) in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, pilot and air defense controller in the Korean Conflict and Commanding Officer 81st Rifle Company, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Lake Springfield, IL Naval Training Center after Korea. His military decorations include two distinguished flying crosses, six air medals and numerous campaign ribbons. He retired as a Major, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1963.

He retired from Fiat-Allis Manufacturing Company in Springfield after 41 years of service, including 14 years as a superintendent.

He was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Schuyler American Legion Post #4, the Beardstown Elks BPO Lodge #1007, Marine Corp Association, Fiat Allis Salaried Employees and Ducks Unlimited. He was Past President of the Allis Chalmers Management Club and also was active in past Springfield Sangamon County United Fund Drives.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville with Rev. Dixie Croxton officiating. Burial will follow in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield with Military Honors conducted by U.S. Marine Corp Honors Detail and the Inter Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to his church.

Condolences may be sent to www.worthington.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 8/12/2015