John Henry Brandt

John Henry Brandt, 86, beloved husband, father, son, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed peacefully on November 27 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, surrounded by family. John was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on February 13, 1938, to Henry and Anne (Maertens) Brandt.

After graduating from Hawthorne High School at age 16, John left New Jersey to study at Concordia Junior College in Austin, Texas. In 1959, he completed his degree at Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia College) in River Forest, Illinois. He began teaching at Concordia Lutheran Church and School in Maplewood, Missouri, and later received a master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis. While living in Missouri, he met the love of his life, Sue Dickens. They married in St. Louis on August 6, 1960, and were the center of the family for 64 years. In 1965, he joined the FBI where he was a Special Agent and served in New Orleans, Louisiana; Macon, Georgia; and in 1970 transferred to Indianapolis, Indiana, which would become his permanent home and where he and Sue raised their family. He retired from the FBI in 1989 and ran a private investigation business with a close, FBI colleague.

John was known for his many hobbies and interests. He was an avid antique collector and amassed a large collection of 1800s goblets and glassware. A Civil War buff, he also loved collecting memorabilia and antique daguerreotypes of Civil War soldiers and researching his finds. He was an avid reader and a master of the daily crossword puzzle. John loved nature and was a skilled gardener who spent his summers outside maintaining a large, beautiful yard and growing tomatoes, beans, and many other vegetables that were coveted by his children and grandchildren. He was also a great cook and an expert with Manhattan clam chowder; his Sunday night pizzas were legendary and will be missed.

John was an active member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church and was an early member and past president of Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, Indiana. He was known for a dry wit and kept his family and friends amused by his unique humor. He put family first and was happiest spending time with Sue, his three sons and daughters-in-law, seven granddaughters and two great-grandsons.

John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sue; his sons John (Lisa) Brandt and Mike (Nancy) Brandt; his daughter-in-law Rhonda; his seven granddaughters, Katie (Alex) Schultz, Jessica (Dylan) Warren, Gabriele and Isabel Brandt, and Kellis, Madison and Leah Brandt; great-grandchildren Ronin and Otto Schultz; and his brother David (Alexis) Brandt.

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Anne, his sister Mary Anne (Bill) Buege, and his son Mark (Rhonda) Brandt. 

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, December 7th, 2024, at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, 4850 E Main Street, Carmel, Indiana 46033. Services will follow at 11 a.m.

To view the livestream of the service, please click here.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel.