Velma D. Brandes, age 103 of Celina, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2022 after a short stay at the Celina Manor.

She was born on April 23, 1919 to the late Necie and Anna Belle (Farley) Alexander in Bedford, KY. On March 12, 1943 she married Joseph R. Brandes who passed away in 1990.

She is survived by her two children David J. Brandes of Lake Jackson, Texas and Patricia (John) Maury of Celina, three grandchildren Michelle York, Sherri (Ron) Werdebaugh, Debbi (Chad) Hall, three great grandchildren Trisha York, Adelyn Hall, Emmett Hall, and sister-in-law Dorothy Alexander of Indianapolis, IN.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Delmer Alexander, Vernon Alexander, John Alexander, Maurice Alexander, and daughter-in-law Laura Brandes.

Velma graduated from Manual Training High School with the class of 1937. She worked at State of Life Insurance Company, until World War II, during the war she worked at Curtiss-Wright and retired from the Standard Life Insurance Company. She was a Red Cross volunteer and volunteered at the Otis Hospital. She served as an office secretary at St. John Lutheran Church for several years. She was a member of the Altrurian Club and served on the election board.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on February 11, 2023 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Celina, with Rev. Jeff Gramza and Rev. Douglas Meyer officiating. Burial will follow at Mercer Memory Garden Cemetery in Celina.

Memorial Contributions may be made out to the Animal Protection League of Mercer County P.O. Box 663 Celina, Ohio 45822.

Condolences may be shared online with the Brandes family at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.