John R. Brandmeyer Sr., 80, of Rock Island, died suddenly Wednesday, Apr. 1, 2015 at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 am Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rock Island. Entombment is Monday at Calvary Mausoleum, Rock Island. Visitation is 2 to 7 pm Friday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island, where a rosary will be recited at 2pm. Memorials may be made to the Illinois Retired Firefighters Association or to Niabi Zoo.

John Richard Brandmeyer was born Nov. 16, 1934 in Davenport, the son of Lawrence T. and Edith VanTuyl Brandmeyer. He married Patricia Malmstrom on May 23, 1953 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rock Island.

John graduated from Alleman High School in 1952. He joined the Rock Island Fire Department in 1956 and was a Lieutenant when he retired in 1986. He joined the Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office in 1988 working in the tank division. He retired in 2003.

He was elected to the Rock Island County Board in 1998 and has been serving the 16th District for 17 years. John also served on the Project Now board of directors, and was a member and served on the board of the Rock Island Elks. He was the state treasurer of the Illinois Association of County Board Members and secretary of the Illinois Association of Retired Firefighters. John was also a member of the Rock Island Retired Firefighters Association. He enjoyed fishing and had a great love for his family.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; children, John Jr., Rock Island, Steve (Mindy) KImberly, Wis., Tom (Deb), Moline, Robert, Monticello, Ind., Bill (Marla), Rochester, Minn., Pam (Brad) Postel, Davenport, Mary Henning, Rock Island, Theresa (Billy) Coffenberry, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Karen (Mike) Kelemen, Rock Island; 25 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marcelline Thompson.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.