John William Brake

John William Brake, 95, of Greenville, Virginia went home to be with the Lord on February 8, 2023. He exuberantly greeted his wife of 69 years, Mary Ellen Spitler Brake, waiting for him in heaven. John was born on September 10, 1927, at his home located in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Fred E. Brake and Ethel Grace Sprenkle Brake.

He served in the United States Marine Corps from June 29th, 1945 to August 29th, 1946. He married Mary Ellen on March 7, 1948 and made Greenville his home. He was known as “the historian of Greenville” and he wrote a book about Greenville and its residents for people to enjoy. He was employed by DuPont for 33 years.
Left to honor his memory is his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Linda Brake, his twin daughters and son-in-laws, Mary and Garland Cash; Martha and Marvin Gwin. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Travis and his wife, Benita, Justin and his wife Shannon, David Gwin, and Sarah Bedgood as well as his great-grandchildren Wyatt Bedgood, and Sloane, Cora, Carson, Paisley, and Micah Brake. He will also be missed by his sister Bonnie Geesaman, and his niece, Bobbie Ann Murphy. He is also survived by many wonderful friends and his caregiver, Melanie Ryder.

John Brake devoted his life to his family and the church. He was a lifelong member of Greenville United Methodist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher and on the cemetery committee. A service will be officiated by Rev. Kevin Haynes at Greenville United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 11 at 3:00 PM. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00 until 3:00 PM and after the service. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in his memory may be sent to the Greenville United Methodist Church Cemetery fund (126 Main St., Greenville, VA 24440) or Cat’s Cradle (122 South Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22802) as John and Mary Ellen never denied a stray animal food.