William Edwin Vernon Brandt

WILLIAM EDWIN VERNON, of Farmville, VA and formerly of Philadelphia, PA and Sunnyvale, CA passed away peacefully on November 14, 2015 at the age of 77 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Amelia, VA on August 11, 1938, Ed was the son of the late John H. Brandt and Susan C. (Callie) Vernon. Ed met his devoted wife Patricia Anne (Skoniesny) while in the Navy stationed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. They were married for 57 years.

He was the beloved father of Christine Brandt Fellenbaum, William E., Jr., Paul J. (M. Kayla), and John M. (Melissa). Ed’s 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren will miss their Pop very much. Ed was the brother of Jewel Brandt Davis, Carol Anne Shanaberger (Bob), Roger T. (Nancy), and Laura Brandt Harris. Ed was predeceased by a brother, John H., Jr., brothers-in-law David Harris and Winston Davis, daughter-in-law Rita Brandt and son-in-law Carter Fellenbaum. Ed leaves numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to mourn him.

After leaving the Navy, Ed worked briefly for RCA in Camden, NJ and then for Lockheed Martin Space Systems (formerly General Electric Space Division) from which he retired after 43 years working as an electrical engineer on satellite electrical harness systems. Through the years Ed enjoyed gardening, raising both vegetables and flowers. In Philadelphia he had several notable rose bushes and in Farmville he was known for his giant zinnias and gladioli. After he and Pat retired to Farmville, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. He and Pat enjoyed travelling back up to Lancaster, PA and Cape May, NJ. every Fall. In his later years, Ed enjoyed working on his family’s genealogy with his daughter and spent many hours researching his Vernon ancestry and updating his Brandt family history. He enjoyed herring fishing with his sons and brother Roger and had recently taken up beekeeping with his son Bill and grand-daughter Susan.

Relatives and friends are invited to Ed’s Life Celebration at Puckett Funeral Home, 115 Covington Court, Farmville, VA 23901 on Thursday, November 19, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Ed’s funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 709 Buffalo St, Farmville, VA 23901 on Friday, November 20, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held privately. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice. Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family.