Clark D. Browne

Clark Dausch Browne, 72, of Shelbyville, died Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, at Hancock Memorial Hospital, in Greenfield. Born April 2, 1933, in Indianapolis, he was the son of Oskar Edmund and Jeanetta (Dausch) Browne. He married Elizabeth Jane "Bettie" Vornehm, and she preceded him in death. He married Peggy Lee Thomasson on Nov. 26, 1977, and she survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Kimberly S. (husband, Tom) Webb of Morristown and Vicki (husband, Larry) Hanson of Shelbyville; three sons, Kevin C. Browne of Indianapolis, Christopher L. (wife, Pamela) Watson and Michael (wife, Joyce) Snyder, both of Shelbyville; two brothers, Raymond Browne of Indianapolis and Edmond Browne of Columbus; two sisters, Rosemary Browne-Beck of Indianapolis and Phyllis Browne of Taos, N.M.; nine grandchildren, Kerry Webb, Conner Webb, Andrew Hanson, Dane Browne, Lillie Browne, Samantha Watson, Alexandra Watson, Travis Snyder and Janet Snyder; and one great-grandchild, Bekah Snyder. He also was preceded in death by his parents and one son, David "Matthew" Watson. Mr. Browne was a retired businessman, he owned Clark's Auto for 35 years. He had started in the automotive after market industry in 1960 as sales manager for Indianapolis Shock Absorber Co. and in 1966 he became district sales manager for Jobber Warehouse Service Company of Indianapolis. In 1971 he became part owner and vice-president of operations for Hiway Parts Inc., Indianapolis, and then assumed the responsibilities of president for Hoosier Automotive Warehouse Inc., Indianapolis, which served the Hiway Parts store operation. He graduated in 1951 from Washington High School, in Indianapolis. Mr. Browne was a member of the Optimist Service Club, in Indianapolis and Shelbyville, Exchange Club, BPOE and Sons of Legion, in Morristown and Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association, where he served as 25th president in 1989. He was a piano stylist, playing for many functions, including "Countdown to Final Four" Girl?s basketball championship. In early years he played with Count Basie, the Montgomery Brothers and other notable musicians. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St., with the Rev. Robert Campbell officiating. Calling will take place a half-hour before services. Burial will be in Fountaintown Cemetery, in Fountaintown. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Choir Fund, 34 W. Washington St., Shelbyville, IN 46176; or Hospice of Shelby County, 110 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.