Robert Hillard Brandes, Jr.

Robert Hillard Brandes Jr., age 79, a resident of Bunceton, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the University of Missouri Hospital with his wife Jammey by his side. The son of Robert H. Brandes, Sr. and Elizabeth “Betty” Gerhardt, born on August 9, 1945 in Boonville, Missouri.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Howard-Millard Funeral Home. A funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at The Bunceton Federated Church on Saturday, April 12, 2025. 

Burial of ashes will follow at a later date.

Bob was a 1963 graduate of Bunceton High School, after which he served in the United States Navy. After an honorable discharge he returned to the workforce where he held several different jobs before he returned to Central Missouri to pursue his multiple-year farming career.  Bob also had a 10-year stint at the Buncton Schools until his retirement in 2018.

He married Jammey Bywater on June 14, 1969, in Warrensburg, Missouri and they moved to Bunceton where they raised their family. 

When not working Bob dedicated many hours volunteering for children’s and youth causes as a member of the Bunceton Lions Club, Bunceton American Legion, Bunceton School Board and the Cooper County Youth Fair Board.During his retirement one of his favorite times of the day was coffee with his fellow retirees where he spent many hours debating the state of the world. The Morning Coffee Group met daily (even in the parking lot of McDonalds during Covid.) Although, his most memorable times were when he was able to spend that time having breakfast with his grandchildren. All of them looked forward to breakfast time with Papa Bob. 

Robert will be forever remembered and missed by his wife Jammey his bride of 55 years; their two sons Matthew (Stacy Marcum) Brandes of Lohman, Timothy (Debbie Spoonemore) Brandes of Bunceton; grandchildren: Meghan, Kaitlyn, Deryn (Maddie) and Hayden Brandes, Corielle (Zach) Dilse, Caitlyn (Dallas) LaRoe; great grandchildren: Ensley Brandes, Grayden and Dalton Dilse, Lucy and Lowen LaRoe and two on the way. Bob also left behind a siblings: Betty Jean Brandes, Jerry (Kendra) Brandes, Janey (Richard) Humphrey, Rusty (Susan) Brandes; along with numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Memorials are suggested to Bunceton School.

Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home, 1397 Ashley Rd., Boonville, Mo 65233 (660) 882-3381. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.howardfh.com.

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