Brown

Thomas W. Brown, 59, of Toby Lane, New Castle, passed away Friday morning at his residence.

Born in New Castle on Nov. 14, 1951, he was a son of Thomas R. and Edna Mae Pontius Brown.

He married Patricia (Pat) Shidemantle Brown on April 5, 1974. She survives in New Castle.

He was a 1970 graduate of Laurel High School.

He was a self employed agricultural fencing contractor for over 25 years.

Tom loved working with his hands and built many structures for his family, but he was most proud of the barn that he transformed into his home.

He operated his own beef cattle farm in Scott Township and was a member of various beef organizations.

He was an avid sports fan, participating in many sports throughout his adult life including softball, basketball and hockey.

For the last 15 years he was a dedicated horseshoe pitcher, participating in tournaments throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. He belonged to the Butler County and New Castle Horseshoe Leagues as well as the New Brighton Indoor Horseshoe League. He was inducted into the Butler County Hall of Fame.

He was a member of Plain Grove Presbyterian Church and later affiliated with Portersville Presbyterian Church.

Tom was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle as well as a special friend to many.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Chad Brown of New Castle, and Chet Brown and his fiance, Ashlyn Moyer, of New Castle; one daughter, Cheryl Brown of Atlanta; one granddaughter, Hallee Brown; one brother, Gerald Brown of Slippery Rock; three sisters, Linda and Deane Smith of New Castle, Peggy and Greg McKean of Mercer and Bonnie and Dwayne Gibson of Slippery Rock; 13 nieces and nephews; his favorite aunt, Jane Book of New Castle; and one great aunt, Betty Kerr of New Wilmington.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Carol Louise Brown; maternal grandparents, George and Kathryne Pontius and paternal grandparents, Frank C. and Sarah Brown.

<B>BROWN</B> — A memorial service for Thomas W. Brown, who died Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Portersville Presbyterian Church, Route 19, Portersville with Rev. Dana Opp officiating.A celebration of life reception will be held immediately following the service at Betsy's Barn, Cheeseman Road, Portersville.Arrangements are by the <B>R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory</B>, 2429 Wilmington Rd., New Castle.Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.cunninghamfh.com.