Ralph H. "Rudy" Brandmeyer, 73, of Damiansville, died Friday, October 24, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. He was born January 2, 1935 in Damiansville, son of Herman F. and Eugenia (Beckmann) Brandmeyer. He married Patricia C. Luitjohan September 5, 1959 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland and she survives in Damiansville.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Roger (Mary) Brandmeyer, Anita (Jerry) Arentsen, all of Damiansville, Doris (Myron) Thole, Lisa (Duane) Niemeyer all of Aviston, Brenda (Rusty) Lappe of Breese, Brian (Mary Ann) Brandmeyer of Germantown, Judy (Rob) Savant of Edwardsville, and Alan (Melissa) Brandmeyer of Bakersfield, CA; 20 grandchildren, Courtney (Mike) Athmer, Katie & Lynn Brandmeyer, Phillip & Neal Arentsen, Marla (Nolan) Cramsey, Blake & Brooke Thole, Travis, Joshua & Chad Lappe, Lucy & Samuel Niemeyer, Mikaela & Scott Brandmeyer, Ryder & Reece Savant, and Maeve, Maxwell & Nola Brandmeyer; one great-grandchild, Vincent Edward Cramsey; two sisters, Florence (Leander "Lindy") Horstmann of Damiansville and Dolores (Herman) Fauke of Carlyle. He is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Paul & Mary Ann Luitjohan, Jane & Pete Korte, Mildred & Allen Frey, Dolores Zobrist, Rita Warnecke, Marie & Vince Horstmann and Eileen Luitjohan all of Highland, Alice Luitjohan and Alvina Luitjohan of Damiansville, Frances Luitjohan of Grant Fork, Clara & Gualberd Emig of Trenton and Anna Spihlmann of Germantown.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Joseph Luitjohan, John Luitjohan, Maynard Zobrist, Lloyd Warnecke, Francis Luitjohan, Al Luitjohan, Lawrence Goebel, and Raymond Spihlmann and sisters-in-law, Darlene Luitjohan and Agnes Goebel.

Mr. Brandmeyer was a grain and dairy farmer and a truck driver for Weber Truck Service. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of St. Damian Parish and Holy Name Society in Damiansville, a member of the American Legion Post 1026 in Albers, the Damiansville Chamber of Commerce and the Clinton County Farm Bureau.

A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at St. Damian Catholic Church in Damiansville with Msgr. Donald Eichenseer officiating. Interment will follow at St. Damian Cemetery in Damiansville.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2008 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden.

Memorials may be made to the donor's choice and will be received at the funeral home.