1916 – 2012

AUBURN — Cleston M. Drown, 96, of Farmington went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 6, after a short stay at the Androscoggin Hospice House.

He was born to Percy W. and Mina M. (Durrell) Drown on May 12, 1916, in New Market, N.H. He was a graduate of Dixfield High, Class of 1934. He worked on the family farm until 1942, when he went to serve his country in the U.S. Army. He worked in overseas ammunition dumps inspecting and disposing of faulty rounds and bombs as a munitions technician, serving in many places including Australia, and the Central Pacific.

Upon returning to the U.S., he worked at Livermore Falls Shoe Shop, Lamkin’s Poultry Farm and Western Maine Transportation.

Cleston was married to Geraldine Brown in 1948, she passed away in 1953 with polio. On March 6, 1969, he married Grace S. Oakes of North Chesterville, whom he made a home with for 43 years, she passed in June of this year.

Over the years, Cleston and Grace were very devoted to their faith and the Baptist churches they attended. As a young man he enjoyed outdoor activities, especially skiing, and learning to fly. In his retirement years he enjoyed traveling to and from Florida, gardening, reading and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his four children, Judy Drown Roberts and her husband, Alan, of Vermont, Randy Drown of Shapleigh, Gary Drown and his wife, Tama, of Newry, and Trudy Toothaker of Jay; two stepchildren, George Weeks and his wife, Diane, and Nancy Lake, all of Farmington; two brothers, Lendall of Farmington and Bayne of Massachusetts; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wives and a brother, Cleo.

The family wishes to thank Pinewood Terrace, the doctors and nurses at Franklin Memorial Hospital and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for all their love, care and support that was given to our Dad and the family.


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