WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Gary David Brandt, age 74, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo due to congestive heart failure.
He was born July 16, 1948 in Three Rivers, son of the late Jack William and Joyce Louise (Murphy) Brandt.
Gary resided in Sturgis since 1985. His early life was spent in Colon where he was a graduate of Colon High School with the class of 1966. He later received an Associate Degree from Glen Oaks Community College in 1977.
On April 28, 1973 he married Jonita Shook at the Fulton Christian Church in Fulton.
Gary retired as the Master Plumber for the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater following several years of dedicated employment.
He attended the Sturgis Evangelical Church and served his country in the U.S. Army from 1971-1973 stationed in Fairbanks Alaska with the Air Defense Artillery.
Gary was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. He had a love of the outdoors and was a true mountain man enjoying black powder shooting, attending rendezvous and was skillful in the art of animal skinning and tanning of pelts. He built a log cabin and enjoyed deer hunting and pheasant hunting. Gary had interests and hobbies but what he cherished was time with his family, especially his 13 grandchildren. But most of all what Gary loved was Christ.
Gary was a patriot who loved his country and was a United States of America national. Art. 1, Sec. Viii, Cl. 17: Art. VI, para. 1. Jurisdiction and Law for the record.
He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of nearly 50 years: Jonita; daughter: Aleesha (Rev. Jeremy) Spence of St. Paris, Ohio; sons: Andrew Brandt of Kingdom of Heaven on Earth and Aaron (Rachelle) Brandt of Bristol, Indiana; daughter-in-law: Natasha Brandt of North Pole, Alaska; 13 grandchildren; sister: Laura Friedman of Tennessee; brother: Bill Brandt of Colon, and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son: Allen Brandt.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 19th and Thursday, April 20th from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the Sturgis Evangelical Church, 28201 E. Fawn River Rd. in Sturgis. Immediately following the visitation funeral services will begin at 11:00. The Revs. Troy Diersing and Jeremy Spence will officiate. A continued time of fellowship and the sharing of a meal will follow the funeral service. A graveside committal will take place at the Lakeside Cemetery in Colon at 1:30 Thursday. Full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post # 1335 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donations in Mr. Brandt’s memory be directed to Pregnancy Helpline, 1125 N. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091.
Arrangements by Hackman Family Funeral Homes.
