The Mt. Vernon Register-News, Tuesday, May 3, 1977 Lew Brake Dies; City's Best Known Old Soldier By GUY HENRY Managing Editor Mt. Vernon's best known old soldier is dead. Lewis Brake, 81, of 723 Harrison street, suffered a heart attack last night and was dead upon arrival at Good Samaritan Hospital. Lew, as he was affectionately known by his friends all over Southern Illinois, served as national commander of the World War I veterans in 1957 and 1958. He was active right up to the day he died, crusading for the rights of veterans of all wars with the zeal of an evangelist. Mr. Brake was loved and respected by his "buddies"— veterans of all ages who honored him for his never-ending work in their behalf, and for their wives and their children. Unlike most men, Lew got to "smell the roses" for his great deeds before he died. In March of 1976 friends came from all over Illinois to show their respect and friendship on "Lewis Brake Day." The mayor, who issued the official proclamation for Lew's day, was there, along with The state VFW commander, and veterans officials from many organizations. " I didn't know I had so many friends." That was the simple, modest response Lew gave after listening to words of praise by speaker after speaker. They all knew that Lew has done more than anyone else around here for war veterans and their wives and children. He was visibly moved when Mayor Holland Lewis presented him with a framed document proclaiming the day as "Lewis Brake Day" in Mt. Vernon. As he always did throughout his lifetime. Lew took advantage of the occasion to perform a labor of love - praising fellow veterans and crusading, once again, for veterans' causes. After serving In World War I, Mr. Brake was a postoffice employee for 39 years, except for a period when he was city editor of the Mt. Vernon Daily Herald. For a long time he was service officer for the Illinois Veterans Commission in the Mt. Vernon area. Over the years he served as commander of the local American Legion and VFW posts and In 1937 and 1938 was commander of the Department of Illinois, VFW. Funeral services will be held al 2 p. m. Thursday at the Central Church of Christ, of which he was a member. Mr. J . Howard Kraps and Mr. Mike Harbin will officiate and burial will be in Oakwood cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 141 and VFW Post 1376, assisted by King City Barracks of World War I. Friends may call at the Hughey—Pulley Funeral Home after 5 p. m. Wednesday and until 11 a. m. Thursday, when the body will be moved to the church to lie in stale until the funeral hour. Lewis M. Brake was born Feb. 3, 1896 near Dahlgren, the son of Marshall F. and Belle (Lewis) Brake. The family moved to Mt. Vernon when he was ten years old, and he has been a resident here ever since. On May 26, 1923, he was married in Mt. Vernon, to Dorothy Coats of Woodlawn, who survives. He served as a deacon at the Central Church of Christ for 25 years. He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 31, Order of White Shrine of Jerusalem No. 66, Lodge HI9 B.P.O. Elks, and the Disabled American Veterans. During World War I, he served as an enlisted man with the 335th Infantry for 17 months, 11 of which were in France. Surviving, besides his wife, are a brother, Earl Brake, Mt. Vernon; four sisters, Mrs. Stacy Kern, Mrs. Maude Eller and Mrs. Candace Dougherty of Mt. Vernon, and Mrs. Pearl Morris of Escondido, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Silas, one sister, Mrs. Minnie Smith, and his parents.