St. Mark's Lutheran Church

St. Mark's Pastors

The Rev. Dr. Walter L. “Wally” BrandauThe Rev. Dr. Walter L. “Wally” Brandau, 76, of St. Petersburg, FL passed from this life due to complications of Pneumonia and Alzheimer’s Disease on Thursday (Dec. 7, 2006) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park, FL.

Wally was born March 19, 1930, in Hazleton, PA, the son of the late Martin E. and Dorothy (Richards) Brandau.

His wife of 55 years, Shirley Welker, formerly of Sunbury, PA, is living in St. Petersburg.

Wally graduated from Sunbury High School with the Class of 1947, Susquehanna University in 1951, Gettysburg Theological Seminary in 1954, and Chicago Seminary in 1966. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Susquehanna University in 1981. He ministered within the parishes of St. John’s Lutheran in Espy and joint parish of Hidlay Lutheran, Bloomsburg, PA (1955-1959); Holy Trinity in Berlin, PA (1959-1967); Trinity Lutheran in Milton, PA (1967-1977); Mount Calvary in Johnstown, PA (1977-1985) and Saint Mark’s in Williamsport, PA (1985-1995) where he retired. Shortly after retirement, Wally was called upon by the Synodical Bishop to serve as an interim minister over the next several years at the following Lutheran Churches in Elysburg, Jersey Shore, and Quiggleville, all in PA, and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Deerfield Beach, FL.

Wally was a member of various Synodical Committees and served on Tressler Lutheran Social Services’ Board. He was a member of the Rotary International and was their group study leader to India. He was a Boy Scout leader in the various communities. He organized recovery efforts after several hurricanes and floods. Notably Hurricane’s Agnes, Hugo and Andrew, and the Johnstown Flood of 1977.

He loved to spend time with his family, travel, camp and hike, paint, quilt and enjoyed wild flower photography. Wally, also along with Clyde Peeling owner of Reptiland, Williamsport, traveled to Ecuador to study reptile habitats in the Amazon Rain Forest. He was a pianist and organist.

In addition to his wife Shirley, he is survived by their daughter and son-in-law, Rebekah and Robert K. Miller Jr., in FL currently, and four sons and daughters-in-law: Lee Brandau, Milton, PA; Mark and Pat (Mauger) Brandau, Hagerstown, MD; Tim and Karen (Mowery) Brandau, Paxinos, PA and Edward and Amy (Kocis) Brandau, Johnstown, PA; 12 grandchildren: Robert K., III and Michelle (Driscoll) Miller, Hamburg, PA; Benjamin and Susan (Romanowsky) Miller, Swoyersville, PA; Rachael Brandau, Johnstown; Johnathan Brandau, Milton; Jennifer Brandau, Memphis, TN; Hannah and Jeremy Brandau, Hagerstown; Melissa and Matthew Brandau, Paxinos, and Emylee, Jacob and Kaitlyne Brandau, Johnstown; 6 great-grandchildren; Robert K., IV and Patrick Miller, Hamburg, and Austin, Noah, Collin and Elliot Miller, Swoyersville; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Edith (Carter) Brandau, Charlotte, NC, and sister, Shirley Tyler, St. Petersburg; along with several nieces and nephews and their families.

Preparations for cremation have been arranged through Anderson-McQueen. Celebration of Life Services will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, St. Petersburg, FL, where he was a member, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Williamsport, PA, at a later time.

Williamsport Sun-Gazette - Section: Obituaries    Posted: 12/9/2006