James “Jim” or “Jimmy” William Brandt, 81, passed away Thursday, April 1, 2026, at Kingston of Ashland following a 10-year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born June 16, 1944, to Adam W. Brandt and Sophie (Reiter) Brandt, the ninth of 10 children. Jim was a 1962 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School. He married Joanne Hallum in 1968.
Jim spent most of his working years at the family business, The Farmers Market grocery store at Fifth and Mulberry streets in Mansfield. After the store closed in 1989, Jim went into the insurance business as an associate of the Harlan Davis Agency. He was later employed at Appleseed True Value, where he retired in 2020.
In his free time, Jim enjoyed visits to Lake Erie with his family, driving and talking about cars, baseball, and harassing his friends, family and customers with puns, jokes, and pranks.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Adam (Betty) Brandt, Catherine (Larry) Ciment, Sophie Clark, Jack (Gerry) Brandt, Frank “Butch” (Linda Lou) Brandt; and brother-in-law Ernie Johnson.
He is survived by his wife, Joanne Brandt; son John C. (Erin) Brandt; daughter Elizabeth “Libby” Brandt; grandson William “Willy” Robert Carter Brandt; sisters Linda Johnson and Margaret (Bill) Cochran; brothers Walter (Carol) Brandt and Kenneth (Mary Lynn) Brandt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 15, at Wappner Funeral Home, Diamond Street, Mansfield, where a brief service will follow. James will be cremated, and his ashes will be spread in meaningful locations.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Justine Sterkel Trust Fund/Sterkel Field Fund or The Friendly House of Mansfield, OH.
Wappner Funeral Directors – Mansfield is honored to serve the Brandt family.
Words of condolence may be expressed at www.wappner.com
Funeral Home: Wappner Funeral Directrs – Mansfield
Website: www.wappner.com