March 1, 1937 – December 17, 2020
Rev. Leon Brandenburg, 83, passed away on December 17, 2020. Leon was born on March 1, 1937, to the late Ruth (Perkins) and Earl Brandenburg in Boone County. Leon attended school in Terhune, Ind., and graduated from Sheridan High School in the class of 1955.
A year after his high school graduation, he decided to go to college to become a teacher and minister. His calling into these two professions were questioned by those around him since he had a stuttering problem. Despite not having enough time to take all the tests for entrance, Ball State Teacher’s College admitted him into their college and he felt God’s presence as he successfully completed his education and graduated with a master’s in education. Leon was an educator at a few different schools, but the majority of his career was spent at Western Boone High School where he taught for 37 years. He was fortunate to have had most of the students who came through Western Boone since he taught government, which was a required class for graduation. Leon enjoyed reading about and studying history. This interest led him to volunteer at the Sheridan Historical Society after retiring.
An ordained Methodist minister, Leon served many different congregations in Indiana. The congregations closest to Sheridan were located in Boxley and Jolietville. After serving in the Methodist church, Leon also helped Jesse Griffith by serving as assistant minister at the Sheridan Church of God before retiring and ultimately worshiping at the Sheridan Methodist Church. Along with being active in the church, Leon drove for Meals on Wheels and shared his faith with the people he met.
At their five-year class reunion, Leon was reacquainted with Anna Faye Walker, who became his wife on June 10, 1961. One day, Anna Faye saw a picture of an American Eskimo dog. When she showed it to Leon, he bought her a puppy. They bred and raised American Eskimo puppies together, with Leon continuing to raise them until his death.
Leon and Anna Faye were parted by her death in 2003.
Leon was raised on a farm in Marion Township, and raising livestock was a hobby that he continued to enjoy for all of his life. He primarily raised cattle and hogs, although the farm did have chickens and goats at times. Some of his children’s fondest memories of him are from when they would take their livestock to both the county and state 4-H Fairs.
Leon was an avid sports fan. For years, he had a season pass to the Colts games, ran the chains and the game clock at high school sports events, and enjoyed watching games on television. Leon attended his grandchildren’s sporting events, as well.
The thing Leon was most proud of was his family – especially his grandchildren who called him “Poppy.” Poppy’s grandchildren were fortunate to have a grandfather who taught them the values of faith, family and hard work. Leon leaves behind his wife, Pamela (Reddick), whom he married on May 7, 2006; his four children, John Brandenburg (Melanie), Sheridan, Nancy (Ron) Powers, Sheridan, David (Lori) Brandenburg, Plainfield, and LeAnn (Jason) Hopper, Avon. He was a proud grandfather to Sarah (Jonathan) Jensen, Aaron (Leah) Powers, Micah Powers, Kylee Powers, Elizabeth Brandenburg; and his great-grandson, Alexander Powers. Other survivors include Pam’s family: her son, Jason Sherrill; granddaughter, Taylor Linger; and great-grandsons, Nixon and Rory Linger.
A celebration of Leon’s life will be planned and held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Leon to the Sheridan Methodist Church, 207 E. 2nd St., Sheridan, IN, 46069; or to the Sheridan Historical Society, 308 S. Main St., Sheridan, IN 46069. Everyone is invited to sign the online guest book or leave condolences for the family at fisherfunerals.com. Fisher Family Funeral Services is honored to serve the Brandenburg Family.