Rockford “Rocky” Arthur Browne

Rocky A. Browne, age 101, died Saturday, October 26, 2019, at Masonic Pathways in Alma, with his family by his side.

Rocky was born in Ashley, Michigan, on February 15, 1918, the son of Ois and Eva  Hoffer Browne.  He married Kathryn Peters on February 14, 1943.  She preceded him in death in 2013, after 70 years together.

Rocky worked for Alma Products over 30 years when he retired.  He also farmed for many years.  He loved his family, camping, going fishing with his son, Jim and his brother, Ois, Jr.  Rocky and Kathryn went to Florida in the winter for several years.  He enjoyed playing the banjo and the keyboard.

Rocky is survived by his son, Kenneth (Carolyn) Browne; his grandchildren, Trevor (Judy) Browne of Sheridan, Troy (Heather) Browne of Hazel Park, Jennifer (DJ) Greening of Sumner, Stephen Smejkal of Sumner, Becky (Jeremy) Graham of St. Louis, Scott Yost of Tennessee, and Jodi Yost of Texas; 11 great-grandchildren; a special niece, Beverly Krieger; his brothers, Garold Browne of Sumner and Ois Browne, Jr. of Ithaca; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn; his son, Jimmy Browne; his daughter, Nancy Smejkal; his four sisters, Carmelita McVeigh, Yvonne Foglesong, Ruth Wischmeyer, and Vivian Green.

Funeral services for Rocky will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 29, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.  Interment will follow in New Haven Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8p.m. Monday, October 28, at the Barden Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Gratiot County Commission on Aging.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.