Kermit Dwayne Brown

On the morning of August 16, 2025, Kermit D. Brown, age 79, of Eolia, MO, left this earth and entered his eternal home, meeting Jesus, face-to-face. Kermit was born on August 21, 1945, to Paul LaVerne and Ruth Bradfield Brown in Van Buren County, Iowa. Kermit was the third born of eight children, commonly known to friends and family as the 8 “K’s”. Kenneth (wife Letha), Keith (wife Carol Ann), Karyl Adam (husband Donnie), Karen Wells (husband Larry), Kent (wife Sue), Kristine Cass (husband Larry), and Kevin (wife Margie) made up the eight Brown children. Kermit was born and raised in the small farming community of Stockport, IA, where he attended a 1-room country school for his elementary years and Stockport High School to complete his education. After high school, Kermit enlisted in the National Guard where he served for eight years. Kermit was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Darlene Bartholomew, on July 10, 1966. From their union they had three daughters, Rebecca (who passed away soon after birth), Rhonda Kay Best (Mike), and Mikki Jo Balmer (Chris). Kermit’s grandchildren are Zoe Best, Hunter and Jade Balmer, who Kermit spoke of with pride and adoration. Kermit loved working on the family farm with his dad and brothers, where he gained so much knowledge of farming and farm life in general. After his marriage, he continued to work with local farmers, along with doing trucking for the local grain elevator. He later took a job with Merschman Seed & Fertilizer Co., where he later retired as a manager. Some of Kermit's gifts were in the helps ministry, administration, discernment and in giving. He served as treasurer and as a deacon at Living Water Ministries. Kermit had a song for every occasion, and always a memory and story to tell. He loved his family and friends. He was a avid bowler and loved to ride his bike and enjoyed snow mobiling in his younger days. Kermit was a wonderful loving husband, a father, grandfather, farmer, trucker. Kermit loved his cowboy boots and owned several pairs. Kermit was a devoted, loving husband to Darlene, caring for her over a ten-year battle of cancer. Due to her passing, God opened a new chapter of Kermit’s life, that caused a move from Iowa to Missouri. Kermit met his bride-to-be, Anna Nothaker, on February 14, 2013, in Hannibal. Anna had been widowed for several years and had prayed for a husband. Kermit was the one Anna had prayed for. God orchestrated the union, and they were married in Anna’s home on March 6, 2013. They both recognized the hand of God in their coming together which made for a short courtship. Anna is the mother of two children, Tim Nothaker and Lisa McCarthy (Tim). Anna’s grandchildren, Neal and Gene, Aiden, Liam and Landon embraced Kermit with open arms. Anna’s family was Kermit’s family and loved and accepted as if they were his own. Over the 12+ years of their union, they have shared life, joy, companionship and love, growing, through the good as well as the hard times. Kermit was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Rebecca Lynn; his brother, Kenneth, along with Kenneth’s wife Letha; sister-in-law Carol Ann; sister Karen (who passed away one month earlier); brother-in-law Larry; nephew Matt Adam, who Kermit was close to, and a great niece. Funeral services will be held at 12:00pm on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the Living Water Ministries in Eolia with David Land Jr. and Kevin Brown officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00am until time of service on Thursday at the church. Serving as pallbearers will be grandchildren Hunter Balmer, Aiden McCarthy, Liam McCarthy, Landon McCarthy, Neal Nothaker, and Gene Nothaker III. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Zoe Best and Jade Balmer. Memorials may be made to Living Water Ministries or Stockport Christian Church.

Kermit Dwayne Brown

August 21, 1945 - August 16, 2025