Charlie Blendon Brown ~ Carbondale July 2, 1929 - October 26, 2024

Charlie Blendon Brown, 95, of Carbondale, passed away on October 26, 2024, at The Landings in Carbondale, following a brief illness.

Charlie was born on July 2, 1929 to Chester and Lois Brown in Salem, Illinois. After graduating from Salem High School in 1947, he attended Southern Illinois University, graduating in 1952 with a degree in business administration. After college, he worked as an appraiser for the Illinois Highway Department for eight years, traveling the backroads of Southern Illinois, appraising and negotiating for the purchase of highway right of way. A natural entrepreneur, he next started his own real estate appraisal business, achieving the highest designation in his field and becoming recognized as one of the premier appraisers in the nation. In 2006, Charlie was named SIU’s Business Leader of the Year. Later in his career, he and his eldest son and business partner, Trace Brown, began developing commercial real estate, including hotels in Carbondale and Marion, restaurants, an assisted living center, and office buildings.

Charlie was married to Colleen (Roper) Brown for 60 years. They had three children: Trace (Carbondale); Gregg (Austin, Texas) and Kelly Jo (St. Louis).

Charlie was preceded in death by Colleen (2019) and his grandson, Samuel Diehl (2016). He is survived by his three children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The family has elected to have a private graveside service.