Edwin George Brabander, of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died early Saturday morning, January 14, 2012, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, at the age of 87 years.

Edwin George Brabander was born on July 14, 1924, in Monument, Kansas, to Joseph and Meta (Krueger) Brabander. He attended and graduated from Deer Creek public schools in 1943. After graduating, he was inducted into the United States Navy on August 19, 1943. He served on the USS Gladiator minesweeper as a Gunners Mate, Second Class, in the Pacific Theater and was honorably discharged on March 3, 1946. He married Lola Marie Farley in 1951 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In 1987 He married Naomi Darlene (Booth) Craig and they made their home in Deer Creek until 2006 when they moved to Blackwell. On November 12, 2009, Naomi preceded him in death and he continued to make his home in Blackwell. He enjoyed farming, ranching, carpentry work and going to the Nardin and Deer Creek Co-op to drink coffee with friends. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved to dance to country and western music. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Blackwell and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Edwin is survived by two daughters, Linda Forsyth and husband Stanley of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Rhonda Sproull and husband Michael of Winchester, Virginia; a daughter-in-law, Janet Brabander; a step-daughter, Jana Parker of Moore, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren, Andrea Merrill and husband Don of Miami, Florida, Audra Motley and husband Ricky of Chesapeake, Virginia, Sean Sproull and wife Courtney of Jacksonville, Florida, Wade Forsyth and wife Davene of Blackwell, Oklahoma, Jesse Forsyth of Blackwell, Oklahoma, Cody Forsyth and Kayla of Deer Creek, Oklahoma, Jason Holt of Perry, Oklahoma, Kutter Brabander of Deer Creek, Oklahoma, Kursha Ellis of Deer Creek, Oklahoma, and Jennifer Johnson of Ponca City, Oklahoma; and fourteen great grandchildren, Todd Forsyth, Chase Forsyth, Cade Forsyth, Gracey Motley, Heath Motley, Faith Merrill, Tristan Merrill, Nicholas Anderson, Savanna Kay Holt, Grayson Lane Holt, Bryce James Ellis, Aiden Lee Ellis, Dylan Ray Brabander, Maddison Skye Brabander and a step-granddaughter Britney Craig.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kurt Brabander; and 2 brothers, Wayne Brabander and Joe Brabander.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell, Oklahoma, with the Rev Ned Moerbe of the Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin, Oklahoma.

Honorary casketbearers will be Loue Farley, Leroy Farabough, Harold Cox, Kutter Brabander, Don Newland, Stanley Forsyth and Michael Sproull. Casketbearers will be Wade Forsyth, Jesse Forsyth, Cody Forsyth, Jason Holt, Sean Sproull and Warren Moore.

A memorial has been established with the Trinity Lutheran Church, c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.