Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Brooks, Harry Leroy November 19, 2021
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Patricia Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net November 18, 2022, 10:52 am

Hasting's Reminder Sat.November 27, 2021

Harry Leroy Brooks

Another member of Tom Brokaw's "Greatest generation"has slipped quietly from our 
midst.Harry Leroy Brooks, age 101 years, 2 months 19 days, passed away at 6:18 
AM on 11-19-21 in Lansing.

Harry was born in Seymour, IND. to Benjamin Schools. He was raised by his Uncle 
Everett and Aunt Nancy Brooks. Harry moved to Michigan when he was 15. He worked 
for small companies and a farm.

Following in the footsteps of his Uncle Eddy Stanfield, who served in the 
Spanish American War and uncles, Oscar Stanfield and John Brooks, who served 
during World war 1, Harry enlisted in the U.S.Army in 1942 and fought in the 
Central Pacific. He was assigned to the 96th Division, 383RD Infantry Anti-tank 
Company and transferred to Cannon Company of the 383RD infantry.He served in 
Leyte and Okinawa campaigns and Mindors. He was a tank driver who attained the 
rank of staff sergeant.

He received the Bronze Star, Victory Medal, American Theatre ribbon, Asiatic 
Pacific Theatre ribbon with two bronze battle stars and one arrowhead. 
Philippines Liberation ribbon with one bronze battle star, three overseas 
service bars, one service strip, one good conduct medal, combat and infantry 
badge, expert with Thompson submachine gun, rifle and sharp shooter with carbine 
He was discharged on 01-25-1947 with the rank of staff sergeant.

After the war, Harry returned to Lake Odessa where he met and married Edna 
Dillenbeck Brooks on 07-22-1946. He worked as a mechanic for several auto and 
farm implement dealers in Lake Odessa. He retired in 1982 form Lass Motor Sales 
and Service, a Chevrolet,Pontiac, International Harvester dealership in Lake 
Odessa. Harry and Edna enjoyed retirement years and 12 winters in Florida. In 
later years, they made craft items and participated in craft shows.He enjoyed 
jigsaw puzzles, reading and playing Euchre.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edna Eulalie Dillenbeck: 
his brother, Oscar; sisters, Sarah Ellen (Newton) Coker, Bertha Louise (Sydney) 
Lawson, Almeda Berniece (Oscar) Gerth; son-in-law, Jim Born and great 
granddaughter, Felicha Ann Heilman.

Harry is survived by his children, Robert and Sue (Baker) Brooks, Beverly 
(Frank) Williams, Nancy Born; grandchildren, Todd and Jenny (Jackson) Brooks and 
Chala (John) Heilman, great grandsons, Sebastion Heilman and Mitchel Brooks and 
great-great granddaughter, Melanie Ann Mason.

In compliance with Harry's wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be 
no public service. Harry and Edna's ashes will be buried in Lakeside Cemetery 
with military honors and flag presentation for Harry's WWII service.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/b/brooks44387nob.txt

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