Evans Funeral Home
314 E Main St
Norwalk, OH 44857
Phone: 419-668-1469
Website: http://www.norwalkfuneral.com/obituaries.php
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Clifford F. Brown, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice, age 94, of Norwalk, passed away peacefully Friday, January 14, 2011 at the Stein Hospice Care Center in Sandusky.
He was born January 21, 1916 and raised on an 80 acre farm in Bronson Township until he commenced the practice of law. His parents were Ignatius A. Brown and Philomena "Minnie" (Ott) Brown. He attended a two-room country school, St. Alphonsus Elementary in Peru Township. Clifford evidenced superior intelligence and was advanced a grade before entering St. Paul High School, graduating as Valedictorian and youngest in the class at age 16 in 1932.
He received his Bachelors degree in Arts and Letters from the University of Notre Dame, 1937, and obtained his Doctorate of Law degree as the youngest member of the class at the age of 22. Clifford passed the Michigan and Ohio Bar Examinations in 1938. He married Katharine M. Ruffing of Bellevue, whom he met at a Fireman's Ball in 1939, and served in the US Army from 1943 until 1946 during World War II. He practiced law in Norwalk and was publicly elected as Huron County Court Judge in 1958 and the 6th District Court of Appeals in 1964, where he faithfully served 16 years. He was sworn into office in 1981 as a Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court through 1986. After retirement he served as a legal consultant, stayed active in the Norwalk community, enjoyed going to the Law library, posting editorials in the newspapers, and shared his philosophy in discussion and in his writings.
In 2000 he became a resident of the Carriage House and enjoyed the camaraderie of others. He enjoyed playing rummy and watching the Notre Dame Football games, continued to be an avid reader, and one of his favorite authors was John Grisham. He was an avid handball player, loved to swim and was a member of VFW Post 2743, American Legion Post 41 and Norwalk Kiwanis, St. Paul Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus Council 626, FCEDO and was instrumental in raising funds for the new pipe organ in church He was a generous contributor to the University of Notre Dame and College of Mt. St. Joseph. He collected and donated food and fruit for years to the poor kitchens, and was also active with Meals on Wheels. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanity from the College of Mount St. Joseph, and was also a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and Huron County Bar Association.
He is survived by his children, Ann K. (Leonard E.) Playko of Norwalk, Margaret (Roy) Mason of Norwalk, Sheila (James) Knittle of Deer Park, Texas, and Charles E. (Mary Ellin) Brown of Norwalk; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.; nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Katharine M. (Ruffing) Brown in 1992; son, Stephen C. Brown in 1961; a brother, Edwin Brown; and sisters, Marian (Brown) Lonz and Alice (Brown) Myers.
Friends may call Sunday from 2 � 4 and 6 � 8 P.M. in the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 A.M. Monday at St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk. The Rev. Frank Kehres, pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or Little Sisters of the Poor, 930 S. Wynn Road, Oregon, OH 43616. Online condolences may be expressed at www.norwalkfuneral.com
