LANSING, MI
Another member of Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation” has slipped quietly from our midst. Harry Leroy Brooks, age 101 Years 2 Months 19 Days, passed away at 06:18 AM on 11-19-21 in Lansing, Michigan. Harry was born in Seymour, Indiana, to Benjamin and Susan (Stanfield) Brooks on 08-31-1920.
Harry attended Conlog and Hayden schools. He was raised by his Uncle Everett and Aunt Nancy Brooks.
Harry moved to Michigan when he was 15. He worked for small companies and a farm. Following in the footsteps of his Uncle Eddy Stanfield, who served in the Spanish American War and uncles, Oscar Stanfield and John Brooks, who served during World War I, Harry enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1942 and fought in the Central Pacific. He was assigned to the 96th Division, 383RD Infantry Anti-tank Company and transferred to Cannon Company of the 383RD infantry. He served in Leyte and Okinawa campaigns and Mindora. He was a tank driver who attained the rank of staff sergeant. He received the Bronze Star, Victory Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon with two bronze battle stars and one arrowhead, Philippines Liberation Ribbon with one bronze battle star, three overseas service bars, one service strip, one good conduct medal, combat and infantry badge, expert with Thompson submachine gun, rifle and sharp shooter with carbine. He was discharged on 01-25-1946 with the rank
of staff sergeant.
After the war, Harry returned to Lake Odessa where he met and married Edna Dillenbeck Brooks on 07-22-1946. He worked as a mechanic for several auto and farm implement dealers in Lake Odessa. He retired in 1982 from Lass Motor Sales and Service, a Chevrolet, Pontiac, International Harvester dealership in Lake Odessa.
Harry and Edna enjoyed retirement years and 12 winters in Florida. In later years, they made craft items and participated in craft shows. He enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, reading and playing Euchre.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Edna Eulalie Dillenbeck, his brother Oscar, sisters, Sarah Ellen (Newton) Coker, Bertha Louise (Sydney) Lawson, Almeda Berniece (Oscar) Gerth, son-in-law, Jim Born and great-granddaughter, Felicha Ann Heilman.
Harry is survived by his children: Robert and Sue (Baker) Brooks, Beverly (Frank) Williams, Nancy Born, grandchildren Todd and Jenny (Jackson) Brooks and Chala (John) Heilman, great-grandsons Sebastion Heilman and Mitchel Brooks and great-great granddaughter, Melanie Ann Mason.
In compliance with Harry’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no public service. Harry and Edna’s ashes will be buried in Lakeside Cemetery with military honors and flag presentation for Harry’s WWII service.