James Lawrence Browning

James L. (Jim) Browning, age 96, of Villas of Holly Brook in Harrisburg, longtime New Haven resident and member of St. Kateri Catholic Church; passed on this life, November 13, 2025, in the SIH Harrisburg Medical Center.

Jim was born on July 21, 1929, in Gallatin County, IL to the late Elmer S. and Reba Mae (Givens) Browning.

On May 9, 1953, he married the love of his life Lucretia E. (Stamps) Browning who preceded him in death after celebrating 69 years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Elaine Browning. Jim worked in the oil industry for over 50 years and when ask his favorite place on earth, he said “2,000 feet deep in the New Haven Bottoms.” He believed in community service and served as Mayor of New Haven and a longtime member of the North Gallatin County CUSD 1, Board of Education. He was known as a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a good friend with a listening ear. Jim will be missed by his son, Brent (Donna) Browning, three grandsons, Fr. Ryan Browning, USAF Lt Col Mark (Monica) Browning and Alex (Erica) Browning; Great Grandchildren Abbie, Ben, Jamison, and Josie Browning, as well as Bonus Great Grandchildren Olivia Hughes and Alexa Hughes. He is also survived by his sister Shirley L. Bates, as well as many Nieces and Nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by four sisters and their husbands Dorothy (Stan) Ewan, Patsy (Cletus) Drone, Shelby (Revis) Busler and Bonnie (James J.) Sisk, and Brother- in-Law, Kermit Bates.

Visitation for Jim will be on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the St. Kateri Catholic Church in Ridgway from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM with funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 AM. His grandson Fr. Ryan Browning will celebrate his Mass; he will be laid to rest in the Union Ridge Cemetery near New Haven.

Memorial contributions in his memory can be made to the St. Kateri Catholic Church.