Donald "Downtown" J. Brown, 76, of Rock Island, passed away Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at his residence.

Private funeral service will be held at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island services can be viewed by friends at www.wheelanpressly.com/live-stream at 1:00 pm on Monday, November 8, 2021.. Burial will be at National Cemetery, Rock Island, with military rites.

Donald was born on March 22, 1945 in Kewanee, IL, the son of Dallis and Margaret (Washington) Brown. His Uncle Oliver "Snap" Brown and Aunt Sarah were instrumental in his upbringing. He married Elizabeth Smith on June 10, 1967 in Kewanee, IL; she preceded him in death on December 27, 2020.

Donald retired from John Deere Co. He enjoyed playing the card game Bid Whist, fishing, and dancing. As a young man, he was the life of the party on the dancefloor; and could even cut a rug in his older years. He graced the stage for senior fashion shows and wooed the crowd.

He was the neighborhood watchman, making sure all was well. He would sit in his favorite chair by the window in admiration of the wildlife in the area – from deer to foxes. He really had an affinity for birds and could get them to answer back to his whistling calls.

Most of all, he loved spending time with his friends and family, and took very seriously the job as provider – a job well done. He loved telling jokes and making people smile; and he was well-loved by all who knew him.

Donald is survived by his children, Monica (Ron) Brown-Fielding, Chicago, Kristina Brown, Rock Island, and Christopher (Jennifer) Brown, East Moline; grandchildren, Gabrielle (Quinton) E. Hill, Christopher (Dasirea) J. Brown II, Jaydon A. Brown, and Jayda C. Brown; grandchildren, Quinton Hill Jr., Lauryn Hill, Christopher J. Brown III, Madison Brown, and Luna Brown; and siblings, Brenson "Pat" Brown of Byron, TX, Dallis Ann Hendrix of New Orleans, LA and Amy Green of Texas, Roseanna (Lewis) Jackson of Vandalia, Michigan, Doloritha (Robert) Malone of Rackerby, California, Annette Robinson, Marjorie Howse, Shelia Howse, Sharon Howse all of Sacramento, California, Frank Eric (Marie) Howse of Castro Valley. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Mattie Rose Jordan, Shirley Ann Cunningham, Ora Lee Washington, Soretta Lee Patterson, Dallis Brown Jr, Alaric Howse, and Joseph Brown. Donald also had a twin sister Donna Kay Brown that died at birth.

Pallbearers: Christopher Brown II, Jaydon Brown, Quinton Hill, Sr, David Wilson, Jr, Jason Bartman, Ron Fielding. Honorary Pallbearers: Jonathan Shadd, Leonard Nunn.

Memorials may be made to the family at https://bit.ly/3rEOxrM