- Date Of Birth: October 24, 1914
- Date Of Death: April 27, 2017
- State: Illinois
Belva Rebecca Brandt, age 102, of Shannon, IL passed away April 27, 2017, at Presence St. Joseph Center in Freeport. She was born on October 24, 1914, in Lima Township, Carroll County, to the late Frank and Olive (Paul) Bowers.
She graduated from Lanark High School in 1932. Belva married Evan Alfred Brandt on February 20, 1936, in the parsonage at the Brookville United Methodist Church. Evan passed away on April 22, 1988. Belva was a long-time member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, and was Chairman of the Stained Glass Window Society. She worked as a nanny during high school, then as a housekeeper until she got married. After she got married Belva helped her husband, Evan, on the farm. Together they farmed in Loran Township, Pearl City, and on the Brandt home farm from 1936 to 1962 when they moved to Shannon. They were the third generation to operate the Brandt farm, first established in 1872 by Evan’s grandfather, Henry Brandt. Belva also worked as a cook at the Shannon Nursing Home, a retail clerk in Freeport, and a secretary for Dr. R.P. Swingley Veterinarian Clinic in Pearl City. She was truly a century woman who lived for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She valued hard work, cleanliness, religion, nice clothes, and of course her loving family and friends. Belva lived under 19 presidents, through WWI & II, Korean War, Vietnam War, the Great Depression, and Prohibition. She was 6 years old when women got the right to vote and 13 when Lindberg flew over the Atlantic. Belva first learned to drive a horse and buggy than a Model T Ford. Her life was guided by discipline and independence, and she liked others to be so directed.
She is survived by her son, Jim (Sally) Brandt of Pearl City, IL; daughters, Janet (Jim) Schmidecamp of Shannon, IL, and Connie (Jack) Croffoot of Rockford, IL; sister, Iva Spencer of Freeport, IL; Grandchildren, Brian (Mary) Brandt, Barbra (Gene) King, Bevan (Angie Kaney) Brandt, Lori (Dennis) Byrd, Lisa (Jim) Cassioppi, Laura Lorenzo, and Dr. Jim Croffoot; Great Grandchildren, Andrew (Nikki) Brandt, Nathan (Torie) Brandt, Kelsey King, Boden Brandt, Savanah Brandt, CJ Byrd, Ben Cassioppi, Anna Cassioppi, Samantha Lorenzo, Maddux Lorenzo, Reece Lorenzo, Quinn Lorenzo, and Camden Lorenzo; Great-Great Grandchildren, Brayden Brandt, Rylan Brandt, and Jack Evans Brandt.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, three sisters, Esther, Arlene, and Wilma, and Great Granddaughter, Emily Brandt.
