Funeral services for James M. “Sonny” Brandt, age 83, of Abilene will be 10:00 AM Thursday, May 31, 2018 at the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home in Abilene with Pastor Stan Norman officiating. Sonny passed away Friday, May 25, 2018 at his home in Abilene.
He was born April 11, 1935 in Detroit the son of Ernest and Teresa (Wells) Brandt. Sonny grew up on the family farm north of Detroit and attended the Dickinson County Community Schools graduating from Chapman High School in 1953.
Following high school, James entered the United States Air Force in September 1953. During his military life, James received the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Longevity award, and the Viet Nam Campaign Medal.
He married Leona Nely on February 6, 1954 in Illinois and started their family raising three children Debra, Diana, and Mitchell. Sonny enjoyed horseback riding, roping, hunting, and boating. After 20 years of serving his country he retired and moved back to Kansas settling south of Abilene. He then worked with several different businesses but finished his final position as a bus driver for the Abilene School District after 13 years.
Sonny is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Leona of the home; son Mitchell and his wife Nancy Brandt of Abilene; daughters Debra and her husband Dennis Boller of Junction City, Kansas, Diana and her husband John Smith of Great Bend, Kansas; Sister Shirley Cash of Perry, Florida; grandchildren Kim and her husband Chad Kuntz of Manhattan, Dena Boller of Junction City, Nick and his wife Heather Riffel of Enterprise, Ashley and her husband Brandon Depew of Abilene, Kilee Goble of Great Bend, Melissa Boller of Wichita, Travis and his wife Bri of Los Angeles, California, Courtney Rae Boller of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Shawntel and her husband Zachary Boloman of Great Bend, Kansas; and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Donald Brandt, sister Lola Hissung, and his parents.
Sonny’s final resting place will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery near Enterprise with military honors provided by the United State Air Force Honor Guard. His family will receive friends from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Abilene Senior Center or to Hospice of Dickinson County and may be sent in care of the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd, Abilene, Kansas 67410. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.martinbeckercarlson.com.