She left us on April 24, 2026. Our amazing mother, the matriarch of our family. She is now back with Dad, sitting on the flybridge of the Seahorse, or dancing to another song by The Riverboaters on an old barge anchored in the harbor of Sunset Marina, or on the dance floor of Mirando’s. The old Sunset Marina gang is now complete and all back together again.

Our lives have again been altered and another void will never be filled, but we know Mom is now where she has wanted to be since we lost Dad five years ago. They taught us so much and leave us with so many amazing memories.

Sweet dreams, Mom. Tuck those knees to your chest, keep your wine glass half full and know you and Dad will be with us forever…..

Peggy J. Brown, born February 21, 1933 in Eliza, Illinois to Gene and Opal Irwin. Peggy grew up in Reynolds, Illinois and graduated from Reynolds High in 1951. She married her high school sweetheart, James H. Brown on March 1, 1952 and they built their life together raising 4 children in Milan, Illinois. Peg and Jim spent over 60 years boating on the Mississippi River and cruising the Seahorse from Sunset Marina to the Florida Keys each winter for 18 years.

Peggy is survived by her 4 children, Michael (Tess) Brown, Randy Brown, Sheri (Jim) Brown-Brokaw and Tami (Dennis Kellner) Brown, 7 grandchildren, Tony (Sarah) Brown, Kendell (Lucas) DeWitt, Dr. Rhonda (Chad) Sowards, Matt Brown, Scott Zeitler, Jamie (Phil) Ledbetter, Drew (Jessica) Zeitler, and 15 great grandchildren, Trace, Thomas, Randi Jo, Ava, Owen, Claire, Bennett, Alice, Maverick, Rhett, Lane, Maddie Jo, Isabella, Haddie May and Macie Lynn. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Opal, her Captain and husband of 70 years, Jim, and her grandson, Thomas Eugene Brown.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at Brookstone of Aledo for their loving care of our mother, and also Western Illinois Home Health Care and Taylor Maid Elderly Home Services.

All services will be private. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Reynolds is assisting the family. Memorials may be shared on Peggy's tribute wall. 

The Seahorse has untied from the dock…….calm seas and fair winds, Mom and Dad……We will see you when we get there.