Leon Dale Brandt, 94, formerly of Colfax, IL, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Heritage Health in Normal. He was born August 10, 1923, in Rural Anchor, IL, to Louis and Maria Anna (Lanz) Brandt. He married Dorothy Jane Canady on January 15, 1944, in Highland Park, IL. She survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Caryl (Ron) Krieg, and Donna Kagel, both of Bloomington; five grandchildren, Leslie (Brian) Fatheree, Erin (Charles) Andrews, Joshua Krieg, Todd (Shana) Kagel, and Stephanie Kagel; 15 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Lois Wise, of Thornton, IL. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

Leon was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Anchor, and was later a long time member of Colfax United Methodist Church. He graduated from Anchor Community High School, and served 4 years in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was an aviation machinist's mate, 3 ^rd class at his discharge in 1945. He worked as an auto mechanic and 52 years as a machinist for Colfax Manufacturing, retiring at age 85. He served as a volunteer fireman in Colfax for 30 years, was a member of Davis-Kerber American Legion Post 653, served as custodian at the Colfax UMC for over 40 years, enjoyed singing in the church choir, riding motorcycles, gardening, helping others, and time spent with family. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

His funeral will be 2:00pm Friday, February 23, 2018, at the Colfax United Methodist Church. The Reverend Gifty Smith will officiate. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:45 pm prior to the funeral. Burial will be at Wiley Cemetery, Colfax, with military honors. Memorials may be made to Colfax United Methodist Church or Evergreen Village, Normal. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax is in charge of arrangements.