Ruth Irene (Meyers) Brownfield; Feb. 27, 2013

Ruth Irene (Meyers) Brownfield passed away early Wednesday morning, Feb. 27 at Madison Manor in Madison.

She was born in Urbana, Ill. to Robert W. Meyers and Zella M. (Williams) Meyers. She was married in 1938 to her husband, Harold E. Brownfield, and they were married until his death in 1977. She moved to Madison in 2000 to live with her daughter, Sandra Lee (Brownfield) McIlrath and husband, Jack.

Mrs. Brownfield was preceded in death by her husband and parents; stepmother, Thurza Meyers; sister, June W. Dunn; and brother, Jay W. Meyers.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law; grandchildren, James and Kimberly McIlrath; great-grandchildren, Robert and Katie McIlrath; as well as nephews, Wesley J. Meyers and Douglas F. Meyers and their children and grandchildren.

She graduated from beauty college and worked as a hair stylist for several years before retiring to raise their daughter. Later in life she worked as the manager of the retail side of two drugstores, Country Fair Rexall Drug Store and Baker Drug Store, in Champaign, Ill. before retiring. She was a 50+ year member of the Hope Chapter of the Eastern Star. She was a member of Webber Street Christian Church in Urbana for many years.

We would like to thank the staff at Madison Manor for their loving care of our mother in her two years there. They were always thoughtful and kind in their care for her.

Laughlin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements in Madison and Renner-Wikoff Chapel will handle the final arrangements in Urbana.
Burial will be beside her husband at Eastlawn Cemetery in Urbana following a graveside service.