Joseph Brabander Jr. of Deer Creek, Oklahoma, died Wednesday evening, March 17, 2010, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital at the age of 83 years.

Joseph Brabander Jr. was born on September 8, 1926, in Monument, Kansas, to Joseph and Meta (Alberts) Brabander. As a young boy he moved with his family to Grant County where he attended rural school near Deer Creek, Oklahoma. Following his education he began farming before entering the United States Army where he served in the military police, 1458th Area Service Unit, during World War II. Following his discharge he returned to farming and married Arlene White on June 5, 1949, and they settled on the farm near Deer Creek where they continued farming for over sixty years. He also worked as a carpenter and enjoyed inventing and creating machinery from various parts in his shop. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell. He also enjoyed visiting with friends at the Coop and his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene Brabander of Deer Creek, Oklahoma; a daughter, Janice Hedrick and husband Rick of Hominy, Oklahoma; a son, Jerry Brabander and wife Dinah of Deer Creek, Oklahoma; a brother, Edwin Brabander of Blackwell, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Nathan Brabander and fiancé Christina of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Brad Hedrick and wife Emilee of Edmond, Oklahoma, Clint Hedrick and wife Melissa of Edmond, Oklahoma, Sarah Snow and husband Tim of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and Scott Hedrick of Stillwater, Oklahoma; seven great grandchildren, Max Moseley and Ivorie Snow of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Corbin Hedrick of Edmond, Oklahoma, Landon Brabander of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Ethan Hedrick of Edmond, Oklahoma, Logan Hedrick of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Hudson Hedrick of Edmond, Oklahoma; and two step great grandchildren, Justin and Katia of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Wayne Brabander.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 20th in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell with Rev. Tom Ramsey of the First Lutheran Church in Ponca City officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin, Oklahoma, with military rites performed by the Blackwell American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Honorary casketbearers will be Max Moseley, Corbin Hedrick, Ivorie Snow, Landon Brabander, Ethan Hedrick, Logan Hedrick and Hudson Hedrick. Casketbearers will be Nathan Brabander, Brad Hedrick, Clint Hedrick, Sarah Snow, Scott Hedrick, Dustin Hall and Mickey Gill.

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