ELKHART -- Archie Cleve "Ab" Brown Jr., 58, died Friday (Sept. 5, 2008) in Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born May 9, 1950, in Bedford, to the late Archie Cleve Sr. and Rachel (Tolliver) Brown.

Surviving are one son, Jason Brown of Goshen; one brother, Carl (Donna) Brown of Elkhart; two sisters, Judy Brown of Houston, Texas, and Dixie (Jim) Nightingale of Central City, Ky.; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Stacy Brown; one sister, Addie "Jo" Mercer; and one grandson, Adam Brown.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Military honors will be rendered at 7 p.m. by the United States Army Honors Unit. A celebration of life service will follow the military honors. Cremation will follow the service.

Mr. Brown was a heavy equipment operator with Operating Engineers Local 103 since he returned home from Vietnam in 1970. He was a United States Army veteran during the Vietnam War, serving from 1967 until his honorable discharge in 1970. He was a member of American Legion Post 143 in Bristol. A "free spirit," he loved to spend time with family and friends, ride his Harley, golf, play softball and was quite a dancer.

Memorials may be given to Bristol American Legion Post 143, 905 Maple St., Bristol. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.