Ishpeming – William "Joe" Brown, age 67 of 18 Birch Lane, Ishpeming, passed away on Wednesday January 23, 2008 at the Marquette General Hospital where he had been a patient for the past day.


Joe was born November 9, 1940 in Ishpeming to the late Albert & Goldie (Hocking) Brown. Joe attended the Ishpeming Public Schools. He worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co, for 32 years, starting at the Republic Mine, then the Empire Mine and retired for the Tilden Mine in December of 1998 as a Foreman.
Joe was a member of the Ishpeming Elks Lodge #447. He took great pride in his garden that he planted every year. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and was a huge Green Bay Packer Fan. He was in several bands over the years, and enjoyed playing his guitar, especially country music with his brothers.


Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Joan Brown of Ishpeming, a daughter Debbie (Rick) Salo of Ishpeming, three sons – William (Bridget) Brown of Flushing, MI, Robert Brown of Negaunee and Steve Brown of Stuart, FL, a sister Isabelle Hebert, a brother Kenneth (Judy) Brown of Holiday Island, AR, 4 granddaughters – Amanda & Amber Salo, Sydney & Brianne Brown, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters – MaryLou Noel and Yvonne Scanlon, and 4 brothers – Al "Moe", Clifford "Kip", Ernie and Rick Brown.


The family will greet friends and relatives from 2:00pm until 4:00pm on Saturday January 26, 2008 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home, where the Ishpeming Elks will hold memorial services at 3:00pm. A service celebrating Joe's life will be held at 4:00pm on Saturday with the Rev. Scott Lindenberg to officiate. Following the service the family invites all friends and relatives for a time of fellowship at the Ishpeming Elk's Lodge where a meal will be served. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.


Pallbearers will be his nephews – Pat, Dan and John Scanlon, Rob and Curt Noel & Rick Brown.