Obituary of James L. Brandel

BRANDEL, James L. of Reno, Nevada, formerly of Saginaw, Michigan, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2013 at Monaco Ridge Assisted Living. He was 89 years old. James Lumsden Brandel was born on November 14, 1924 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late George Washington and Edith (Lumsden) Brandel. He married the love of his life, Isabel J. Heinrich on March 15, 1951 in Angola, Indiana. She preceded him in death on May 10, 2011. Jim was a veteran of United States Army Air Corps. During World War II, he was stationed on the CBI border (China, Burma and India) as a forward, helping pilots that were lost or attacked find their way home through the Himalaya Mountains. The Allied pilots referred to this region as "the hump", because flying over the Himalayas was both difficult and dangerous due to their lack of mapping, radio absence and no information about weather. He absolutely loved to fly, as well as being a pilot. Upon his honorable discharge, Jim held a 20 year career with the Federal Aviation Association as an Air Traffic Controller. He was an avid reader, especially of self-help books. Jim believed "everyone made their own reality", and that everyone was interconnected and "all we need is love". Surviving are three sons and a daughter: Michael Brandel of Billings, MT, Craig Brandel of Roseburg, OR, Mark (Gayle) Brandel of Reno, NV and Marilyn (Steve) Ford of Lansing, Michigan; four grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two sisters: Joyce Danhoff of Saginaw and Edna (Rocky) McIntyre all of Saginaw; a sister-in-law, Ethel Brandel of Saginaw. He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Brandel; a grandson, Michael J. Brandel; and three brothers and one sister: George, Tom, Bob and Virginia. Jim was blessed by many nieces and nephews. FUNERAL: Jim's Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State). Jim's son, Michael Brandel will officiate. Entombment will follow in Chapel Hill Mausoleum. VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the East Side Soup Kitchen, 940 E. Genesee St., Saginaw, MI, 48607. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.