Memorial
Beryle Leroy Brown, age 78, of Cedar Rapids, died unexpectedly Sunday morning, February 2, 2025, at his home with his wife at his side. A Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. The Memorial Service for Beryle will be at 3:00 PM, on Friday, February 7th at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories.
A livestream of the memorial service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Beryle Leroy Brown, under the video tab starting at 3:00 PM, Friday, February 7, 2025.
Beryle was born a twin with his brother, Meryle, to Stanley and Hildred (Jones) Brown on July 27, 1946, in Ottumwa, Iowa. Beryle and his brother were the youngest set of three sets of twins, in their family of 10 children. He grew up in the Ottumwa area. Beryle’s parents divorced when he was a teenager, and he gained a stepfather, Charles Bell, and a stepmother, Edith, who treated him as if he were their own. During his childhood, he developed a close relationship with Bill and Jim Gosnell and their parents. They often took him to church on Sundays helping to build the foundation of his faith. He spent countless hours with the Gosnell’s and considered them family, and remained close until each of their passings. Beryle graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1965. He married his love, Joyce Roberts, on March 19, 1966. He served in the United States Navy for four years during the Vietnam Conflict on the U.S.S. Whetstone. Beryle shipped out to Vietnam three days after his son, Greg, was born in 1967. In 2019, Beryle was selected to participate in the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight with his dear friend Donnie Huber. He considered it a highlight of his life.
Before his Naval service, Beryle worked for the city as a water meter reader back in the mid-60s, when readers carried a notebook and keys to enter people’s homes to access their water meter. Later in life, he enjoyed sharing his meter reader adventures with anyone willing to listen.
Beryle went to work at Johnson Gas Appliance Company in February of 1965 and worked there (with the exception of a five-year gap) until he retired in May of 2021. He had the pleasure of serving three generations of owners and loved his job with the company. He cared about his fellow staff, customers, vendors, and employees. While working at Johnson, Beryle traveled to nearly all 50 states and internationally visited New Zealand, Ireland, Ecuador, and South Korea. During his gap years, he was a plant manager at Kinze Manufacturing and also worked for Milt Hale, who treated him like a son.
Beryle lovingly cared for Joyce as she faced terminal breast cancer and passed in October of 1991. He was a devoted and supportive husband to her for over 25 years. Together, they raised their children Greg and Kristi. In December of 1991, Beryle faced his own health crisis when he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer that turned into Stage 4 at the age of 45. He suffered immensely, but was grateful to have survived.
Beryle met his second love, Sharon Osborn, and they married December 11, 1992. Together, they raised Sharon’s three children: Kari (10), Kristen (8), and Eric (2). Several years later, Beryle helped to care for four of his grandchildren, especially his grandson Ethan, who required extra love and attention. He helped provide care for Ethan with Sharon until his passing. He was a hands-on dad and grandpa for six decades of his life.
Beryle was fun-loving, kind, tender-hearted, devoted to the person or project in front of him, hardworking, and selfless to the very end. He looked for the best in everyone. He was the hero of our ordinary lives, and in return, we adored him. He believed profoundly in God and often said, “Don’t look to man, look to God.” We take great comfort knowing he’s resting in the arms of Jesus.
Beryle was also an avid fly fisherman. Fishing with his brothers, family, and friends was his bliss. He loved his weekly lunches with his brother (in law), Jim, his regular outings with Mike and Charlene, Saturdays with the guys at Donnie’s, and regular dinners with Lyn. He enjoyed trips with Don and Roxie, and Steve and Lori.
Beryle is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sharon, of Cedar Rapids; five children: Greg (Staci) Brown of Waterloo; Kristi Brown of Indianapolis, IN; Kari (Lee) Thomsen of Cedar Rapids; Kristen (Patrick) Krambeer of Cedar Rapids; Eric (Ashley) Osborn of Marion; 12 grandchildren: Noah (Taylor) Brown, Jonah (Martha) Brown, Gabriel Gonzalez, Abigail (Nathan) Margosian, Annelise Gonzalez, Adeline Gonzalez, Ethan Thomsen, Jacob Krambeer, Madison Krambeer, Tate Thomsen, Avery Thomsen, and Mara Thomsen; five great-grandchildren: Isaac Brown, Jaxon Brown, Beck Brown, Norah Brown, and Ella Brown; mother-in-law Valeria Bockenstedt; sister Patsy Parks; sisters-in-law Pat Brown, Beverly Brown, Donna (Loren) Pannkuk; special niece Sue Monohon; brothers-in-law Jim Bockenstedt, Duane (Jami) Bockenstedt, Steve (Lori) Bockenstedt, Keith (Kristi) Bockenstedt, Gary (Julie) Bockenstedt; in-laws Ron (Ann) Roberts, Donna Waters Lind, Larry (Sherry) Roberts, Gary Roberts, John (Karla) Roberts, and Joan (Jim) Hale; special nephew Dan (Penny) Roberts, and many nieces and nephews and their children.
He was preceded in death by Stanley and Edith Brown; Charles and Hildred Bell; wife Joyce Brown; father and mother-in-law Ralph and Maxine Roberts; sister-in-law Mary Roberts; brothers Richard Brown, Larry Brown, Jerry Brown, Meryle Brown, Jackie Brown; sisters Betty (Gene) Monohon, Marilyn Wilkins, Jacqueline Brown; father-in-law Irvin Bockenstedt; and special nephews Dewayne Monohon and Gary Monohon.
Beryle’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the physicians and nurses who cared for him throughout his life. Their expertise allowed him to live a very fulfilled life. In addition, the family would like to thank the Cedar Rapids Police Department, AREA Ambulance Services, and the Linn County Medical Examiner’s Office for their overwhelming kindness and compassion on a very difficult day.
All memorial gifts can be directed to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.