Kevin H. Brown, 58

Kevin H. Brown, 58, of Woodstock peacefully passed on Nov. 24, 2023, after a three-year battle with cancer. 

Kevin was born in Woodstock on May 16, 1965, to Ronald and Bette (Stock) Brown. He attended Dean Street Elementary, Olson Junior High and Woodstock High School, where he played football and ran track. He graduated in 1983 and went on to participate in both sports at Milliken University. 

Kevin played softball in recreational leagues for many years. It was at one of these games that he was set up on a blind date with his wife of 30 years, Mary Beth Dermont. 

Kevin coached football at Northwood Junior High and with St. Mary Youth Football program but was in his element coaching his son, Joey, in baseball, football, and bowling. He was so proud to see his son excel in the sports he loved so much. Kevin paced a path in the grassy sidelines of every game he watched Joey play. 

Kevin was equally proud of his daughter, Nora, who also ran track at state. He was reduced to tears when she was crowned Miss Woodstock and Miss McHenry County, then in tears again when she graduated from college. She was the apple of his eye. 

Kevin loved “Top Gun,” “The Santa Clause”, Chicago Cubs, NASCAR, hunting, fishing, the Minnesota Vikings, and golf. 

Kevin bowled in men’s and mixed leagues in Woodstock for most of his adult life. He formed some of his most solid friendships at Wayne’s Lanes and Edgetown Bowl, now Kingston Lanes.

None of us really know what Kevin’s job was, but it always involved brick or stone sales. Later, Kevin was adopted by the Woodstock Musical Theater Company to help build sets and was often the prop tester for the shows his wife and kids were in. 

Kevin humored his wife and cohabitated with many dogs, cats and birds. His dog, Theo, rarely left his bedside when Kevin became ill and was probably the reason cancer was afraid to get too close for so long. 

Kevin is survived by his wife, Mary Beth Brown; daughter, Nora Brown; son, Joey Brown; a brother, Kurt (Heather) Brown; a sister, Deann (Patrick) Ryan; his mother-in-law, Joan Dermont; brothers-in-law, Scott (Jane) Dermont and Steve (Dina) Dermont; nieces, Colleen Brown and Elizabeth Ryan; nephews, Michael Brown, Alex Ryan, and Steven (Madison) Dermont; and a great-nephew, Steven “Tripp”Dermont. 

His mother, father, father-in-law, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and some pretty special friends are waiting to walk Kevin to his heavenly home. We know he is in really good hands. 

“Some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic

But I had a good life all the way”

A celebration of Kevin’s life will be held on Dec. 9, 2023, at Stage Left Café, 125 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kevin’s name for his good boy “Theo” to Helping Paws Animal Shelter 2500 Harding Lane, Woodstock, IL 60098

The Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home assisted the family. Visit slmcfh.com.