Philip M Brown

Philip M. Brown, 69, of Richland Center, died Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the Richland Hospital. Phil was born in Wisconsin, on May 12, 1956, to Elmer and Helen (Martin) Brown. Later, they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. He served our country in the United States Marine Corps as a plane captain for the Harrier Jets. Phil met and married Diane Polensky of Gillingham. They were blessed with a daughter and a son. He was a strong husband and father. He was active in the 40&8 and was SGT at Arms in the American Legion. He enjoyed driving the locomotive in parades. We enjoyed several years as a family cutting firewood and working together outdoors. Many weekends were spent at the family farm in Gillingham, where we made cherished family memories. Phil was a gifted mechanic at home and worked in the dairy industry for several years as a mechanic as well. Eight years ago, Phil transitioned out of the workforce, needing a double lung transplant. After several months of testing, he was not a candidate. However, he was a candidate for a double lung reduction. He had that surgery and was blessed to start a long recovery until a year ago, when he was diagnosed with ALS. He earned the title of "IRONMAN" by the medical staff, family, and friends. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Diane (Polensky) Brown; daughter, Sommer (Don) Tinsley; grandson, James (Olivia) Tinsley, and great-grandson Wayne Thadius Tinsley; and granddaughters, Charli Mae Tinsley, Samara Brown and Kearstyn Lisney; sisters, Cathy Boehme, Jan (David) Carter, Carolyn (Steve) Demaree, Ann Evans; and a brother, Scott (Dawn) Brown; an uncle, Willis Brown; sisters in law, Yvonne (Steve) Davis, Pam (Mark) Puckett, Angela (Terry) Turnipseed; brothers in law, Aaron (JoAnn) Polensky, Dwyane (Cathy Ryan) Polensky, Zach Polensky, Neal (Bonnie) Polensky. Many other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Also, dear friends from the motorcycle club world. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Helen; parents-in-law, Albert and Lorene Polensky; beloved son Thad; sister, Susan Anderson; brother and sister in law Conrad and Pat (Rivers) Polensky; and a niece Markie Mae Puckett. A Celebration of Phil's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center, WI. Pastor Kevin Niebuhr will officiate with burial in Fancy Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 1:00 PM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM at Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center. Online condolences may be made at www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com .