Wayne K. Brown

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Wayne K. Brown, 83 of Gaylord, passed away at his home surrounded by family, on July 15, 2019.

He was born in Petoskey, Michigan, October 12, 1935, the youngest son of Floyd H. and Alice M. (Buffey) Brown. The family moved to Gaylord when Wayne was 6 months old. Wayne attended Gaylord Community Schools and graduated from Gaylord High School in 1955.

On September 20, 1958, Wayne married Sandra “Toni” Audrain, who preceded him in death in 2011.  Together they raised five children; Richard, Michael, Timothy, Sally and Peggy.

Wayne took great pride in serving the community that he loved so much. He served on the Gaylord City Council for 21 years and the Otsego County Fire Department for 42 years, including several years as Chief.  He also held positions on the Otsego County Ambulance Corporation Board and the Otsego County Fire Board.  In addition, he served on the Mackinac County Water Safety Review Team for over 20 years. Wayne and Toni were strong advocates of rip current awareness and water safety, after the loss of their grandson, Travis, in 1998.

Wayne worked many years at Royal Laundry and Linen Service of Gaylord, which was started by his father. He took over management of the company after the passing of his father in 1973, and continued until the business closed. He later worked for North Central Excavating of Gaylord, as a truck driver, until his retirement.

In his spare time and in retirement, Wayne enjoyed spending time hunting and relaxing at his property in Sparr, Michigan.  He enjoyed gathering and visiting with family and friends for any occasion and “hanging out” with the crew at the local coffee house or restaurants.

He was a life member of the Northland Sportsmen’s Club in Gaylord, a Golden Eagle member of the Gaylord Eagles Club and a member of the Gaylord Elk’s Club.

Surviving are his children; Richard (Angie) Brown, Michael (Debbie) Brown, Timothy Brown and Sally (Kent) Avery all of Gaylord and son-In-law, Ron Koronka of Johannesburg. Also surviving are grandchildren, Luke and Kyle Brown, Rachael Brown, Caitlin and Douglas Simcek, Krystal (Marty) Donajkowski, Keith and Brittany Koronka, Bruce (Renee) Koronka and Loretta Cathcart; 11 great-grandchildren; brother In-law, Biff Audrain of Tucson, Arizona and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Toni; Infant daughter, Jill Brown; daughter, Margaret “Peggy” Koronka; grandsons, Travis Brown and Christopher Nelson; great-grandson, Bruce Koronka Jr.; parents, Floyd and Alice Brown; brother, Rolland “Rod” Brown;  sister-in-law, Leone Brown and father- and mother-in-law, Robert and Helen Audrain.

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at the Gaylord Eagle’s Club, Saturday, July 20, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with a brief memorial service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to The Mackinac County Water Safety Review Team, Hospice of Michigan or to the charity of your choice, through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.

38 comments on “Wayne K. Brown”

  1. Sally, Sincere sympathy to you and your family, your dad was a real special man. You are in our thoughts and prayers, The Griffore family.

    1. Rick, Mike,Tim, Sally. And family. So sorry for your loss, your dad was always willing to give to our great town and residents. Had some good discussion with him in the 90’s after I got out of the service and at my own fathers funeral. I’m feeling your loss of your father. My thoughts are with you all.

  2. Keith & Chris Wells

    Rick, Mike, Tim & Sally, & family, we’re so very sorry to hear about your dad. He always had a kind word when we’d meet. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Rest in the God, Wayne.

  3. Sally! Mike, Rick and Tim so sorry to hear about your dad. Sending hugs and keeping you and your family’s in my prayers ❤️

  4. Vince LaRosa II

    Brown Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Wayne was a great guy and a good friend. I know he missed Toni greatly and now he is in heaven with her. They were a couple that I always liked to see and have a chance to chat. They were a special couple!

    My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Vince

  5. Betsy Gocha Higgins

    So sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. My family and I were missing him at the Alpenfest Parade. Have many fond memories of him and my brother Bill and even of our parents.

  6. Sally and family… so very sorry for your loss. You took great care of him Sal… Hold on to those memories❤️. What a great reunion for him in heaven❤️. Hugs to all… Robin

    1. Michele ORourke

      I am so sorry!! This is so sad. I really liked Wayne and enjoyed talking to him. Hugs and love to all of you…Rest in Peace, sir. You will be greatly missed 😢

  7. Sally so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great guy and will be missed. I’ll be thinking of you guys when we go see the Giant Sequoia’s.

  8. Raymond Gehringer

    Sally you and your family are in our Prayers. He was a great man, father, and grandfather. He will greatly missed.🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️
    The Gehringer family.

  9. Don and Linda Fitzek

    So sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. Your dad, along with your mom, were a very community-minded couple and will be greatly missed. Take heart that they are now reunited. Thoughts and prayers from the Fitzek family are with you all.

  10. I’m so sorry for your loss. I have so many memories with your family. Your dad was a great man and will be missed by many. Sending you all hugs, thoughts and prayers.

  11. Danielle Burdo-Davis

    Sally, Tim and family.. Thinking of you and sending you hugs and thoughts. Your dad will be greatly missed in this community.

  12. Kevin & Marlene Robinson

    Dear Brown Family,

    We are so sad that Wayne has passed. He was such a great guy. We always looked forward to his jokes. He will be greatly missed. Sending prayers and hugs 🙏🏻❤️

  13. Debbie Washburn

    Sally so sorry for the loss of your dad. Sending prayers to you and your family. Debbie, David Washburn. Kristin Boughner.

  14. Debbie Johnson

    Sally, Tim and family, so sorry to hear your dad has passed away. He will be missed. I’ll keep your family in my prayers.

  15. Savannah Mcclerren

    I’m so sorry for your loss, I used to work at Cops and Doughnuts and I absolutely loved Wayne and everyone that was in that group. I often still saw them around at Big Boy and if I happened to go Into Jays or Cops and Doughnuts they never forgot me.He was an amazing person and I absolutely loved hearing his stories.

  16. Ronald Kinnunen

    Wayne with his wife Toni, were a force in starting the Great Lakes water safety movement after the drowning of their grandson Travis. I was honored to work with them on these efforts which helped save numerous lives over the years. Their legacy in Great Lakes water safety will live on into the future. God bless.

  17. Rosie and Ray Warner

    Brown Family~We will remember Wayne ‘s ready smile, jokes and chatting. He gave so much to us all!

  18. Chris & Peggy Borst-Botens

    Tim & Family, Sending our sincere sympathy to you and your family. All the beautiful messages left by friends, shows your Dad was a very special man. Keep all the special times with your Dad close to your heart.

  19. Carol Fitzpatrick

    Rick, Mike, and family, so sorry to hear about Wayne’s passing. My condolences and prayers for all. Carol Fitzpatrick

  20. Cyn Prusakiewicz

    Sally and Rick and siblings, Tom and I are truly sorry for the loss of your father, he was a very special man. We talked at last years Alpenfest and again sometime this year, I loved our impromptu visits. Know you are in our prayers, we will miss him as you do.

  21. Brian R Morgan

    It is with great sadness that I was recently informed of Wayne Browns passing. He was a good friend of my late Father and I remember him as a cheerful soul, always with a good sense of humor and a story to tell. My condolences to his family and friends. He was one of the legends of our community!!

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