Eric Brown

1966 - 2025

Eric Brown

November 18, 1966 - September 5, 2025

Eric David Brown, 58, a lifelong resident of Blue Mound, Ill., died on September 5, 2025 while doing what he loved most - watching football with beloved family in Ohio. Eric was born to C. David and Sally Brown on November 18, 1966 in Decatur, Ill.

Eric was a 1984 graduate of Blue Mound High School and excelled in both sports and scholastics throughout. Millikin University became his college of choice, proudly following in the footsteps of his parents and his maternal grandmother. He graduated with honors in 1988.

He'd then begin what became a 32-year career in accounting and finance, with jobs at Illinois Power, Pulley, Martynowski and Blakeman, CPA's and Gerber State Bank in Argenta, Ill. His most inspired job came when he selflessly stepped away from Gerber Bank in 2021 to become the full-time caregiver for his mom Sally - a role of his highest calling, greatest pride and deepest commitment.

Sports were a lifelong source of his joy and meaning. He avidly supported the University of Illinois Fighting Illini as a season ticket holder for football and basketball for 38 years - traveling near and far to cheer them on with family and beloved Illini buddies Roberta K. Gorden, Patty Huffman, Nancy Hanover and Lois Wood among many others. High school, college and professional sports teams alike determined his hobby and interest, as evidenced by his colorful and spirited wardrobe. Secondary to the almighty orange and blue, St. Louis Cardinals red and Meridian Hawks green hung next to Bowling Green Bobcats red and Leroy Panthers maroon with immense pride.

Family was everything. Trips afar to California, Ohio, Hawaii, Vegas, Palm Springs, and especially St. Barth became annual markers in his life story and a source of great joy and adventure. Each fueled his soul. He lived a worldly life with an open-hearted and curious mind, all the while packaged as a proud small-town farmboy. To the end.

He lived and died as a man of God, nurtured through his younger years by his church family at Zion Chapel United Methodist Church in Boody, Ill. Eric proudly cherished his decades-long lineage as a "LoveBoat Kid".

He's survived by his mom, Sally Brown of Blue Mound, and his brother, Jeff (Claude-Alix) of Los Angeles, Calif. His inner circle of love and joy also includes his aunts, uncles and cousins: Larry and Carol Brown, Blue Mound, Ill., Bud and Rachel Blickensderfer, Bowling Green, Ohio, Carol Sue Brown, Decatur, Ill., Kelly (Matt) Blickensderfer, Bowling Green, Ohio, Monica (Erik) Nagel, Bowling Green, Ohio, Tammy (Lynn) Wilcox, Blue Mound, Ill., Tara (Rick) Floyd, Mt. Zion, Ill., Coleen (Shane) Bollhorst, Leroy, Ill., Jeremy (Kelly) Brown, Magnolia, Del., Lyndzi (Matt) Craft, Decatur, Ill., Chad (Lauren) Brown, Cary, Ill. He loved and proudly cheered on his latest generation of young cousins Cameron, Cole and Morgan Nagel, Wyatt Wilcox, Wesley Jaukkuri, Case (Peyton) Jaukkuri, Deven and Nadia Bollhorst.

He was preceded in death by his father, C. David Brown; his grandparents, Fritz and Betty Blickensderfer and Charles and Wilma Brown; his aunt and uncle, Todd Brown and Arlene Lichtenberger; and his cousin, Brent Blickensderfer.

His kindness now lives on eternally in the gift of sight for two cornea transplant patients through his gift of organ donation.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Brintlinger and Earl in Decatur, Ill. Memorial Service will be Saturday, September 20 at 11 a.m., also at Brintlinger and Earl. He will be laid to rest in Brown Cemetery immediately following.

To honor his pride in his native land and his farmboy life, memorials may kindly be made to the Meridian Ag Foundation, Macon, Ill.

He's gone far too soon for our hearts to comprehend, but his calm and kind spirit lives on with each new "GO ILLINI" we shall proclaim.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com.

Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home

2827 N Oakland Ave

Decatur, IL 62526

217-875-1283