Jerome C. "Jerry" Brandts, age 84 of Celina, Ohio passed away at 5:46a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013 at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima. He was born on Oct. 18, 1929 in Celina, Ohio to the late Edmund H. & Kathryn (Dull) Brandts. On May 28, 1955 he married Verdice Simons, who lives in Celina. Also surviving are his children Vicki & Darrell Kramer, Jerome C. Brandts Jr., Gretchen & Steve Zimmerman, Pam Silliman all of Celina, 8 grandchildren Ben & Dayna Kramer, Eric & Jessica Kramer, Katie & Andy Kraner, Kevin Kramer & Jess Walls, Brittany & Levi Lesher, Kristen Brandts, Ryan Silliman, Curtis Silliman, 5 great grandchildren Jaylen, Raygen & Myla, Logan & Allie, sister Kathryn Ann North of Arizona, sister-in-law Joyce Brandts of Celina, In-laws Mary Dues of Versailles, Gen Tobe of Dayton, Lu Dues of Dayton, Ruth Aselage of Ft. Loramie, Kate Simons of Versailles, Alma & John Pequignot of Greenville, Evelyn Simons of Versailles, Lawrence & Shirley Simons of Versailles, Phyllis Imwalle of Dayton. He was preceded in death by his step-mother Tillie Brandts, son-in-law John Silliman, brother Tom Brandts, brothers-in-law Bill North, Bill Dues, Al Tobe, Joe Dues, Lud Aselage, Noah Simons, John Simons, Barney Imwalle, and his sister-in-law Doris Brandts. Jerry graduated from Celina High School in 1947 and Manchester College with a degree in education. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Plumber & Pipe Fitters Local #776 of Lima. He was the former Owner & President of Lake Contracting in Celina and retired in 2001. Also, he served as President of the board of directors of Mercelina Mobile Home Co. He was a member of the Mercer County Elks. Liturgical funeral services will be held at 10:30a.m. on Friday Dec. 27, 2013 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Celina, with Fr. Kenneth G. Alt C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Celina. Friends may call from 2-8p.m. on Thursday Dec. 26, 2013 and from 9-10a.m. on Friday at the Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home in Celina. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Association of Mercer County P.O. Box 624 Celina, Ohio 45822. Condolences may be left at LHDfuneralhome.com.
