ILION – Mr. Earl J. Brown, of Flower Drive, Ilion, passed away on January 1, 2017 at the Abraham House in Utica. Earl was born in Piercefield, NY on March 16, 1927, son of the late John and Mabel (Monnett) Brown. He married his childhood sweetheart, Hilda Benware, on November 28, 1946 at St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam, NY. They were married for seventy years. Earl served in the United States Navy starting in 1945. He worked for 24 years at Herrings Papermill before moving to Au Sable Forks, and then eventually relocating to Herkimer, NY to work at the Herkimer Housing Authority for 21 years, retiring in 1990. After retirement, he and his wife moved to Port Leyden, NY where they lived for over 25 years before returning to the Mohawk Valley. A fun-loving and down-to-earth man, Earl loved to play cards and horseshoes with family, friends and neighbors. He could often be found working in the yard or doing home construction, training the family pets, telling stories, and playing practical jokes. Earl is survived by his wife, Hilda; two daughters, Patricia (Robert) Douglas of Au Sable Forks and Susan DeRocco of Ilion; four sons, John (Barbara) Brown, Joseph Brown, and Daniel (Pamela) Brown, all of Herkimer, and Timothy (Cheryl) Brown of Monroe, NC. He also leaves behind his 17 grandchildren, and was soon to be the great-grandfather to 26 great-grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by his son-in-law, Sam DeRocco; his daughter-in-law, Denise Brown; and sister-in-law, Elsie, along with several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Mary Jane (Don) Simonette; his parents; four older brothers, Elmer Brown, Thomas Brown, Carl (Delores) Brown, and John Brown, Jr.; an infant sister; and his older sister, Pearl (Ralph) Gaines. Earl’s funeral service will commence on Saturday morning, January 7, 2017, at 10:30AM at the Church of the Annunciation, West Street, Ilion, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Paul Catena, Pastor. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Abraham House, 1203 Kemble Street, Utica, NY 13501. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Martin L. Ciaccia and Harry and Kevin Enea, Funeral Directors of the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion (Town of Frankfort) NY 315-894-8000. Online condolences can be sent at www.eneafamily.com.