Bud and Vera Brandt

Howard (Bud) Malcolm Brandt - April 26, 1930 - November 23, 2025
Vera Agnes (White) Brandt - April 23, 1933 - November 25, 2025

It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Bud and Vera Brandt — a couple whose story became part of the heartbeat of Armada and Romeo Michigan. Bud and Vera Brandt were cherished siblings, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and friends, and they will be deeply missed by all who knew them.A celebration of life for Bud and Vera Brandt will be held at the Masonic Lodge, 231 N. Main St., Romeo, MI 48065 on Sunday, June 7, 2026, 12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM. The family invites the community to attend this open house and share their favorite memories.

Howard “Bud” Malcolm Brandt 

Howard “Bud” Malcolm Brandt died on November 23, 2025, in Armada, Michigan at the age of ninety-five. Bud was born on April 26,1930 to Howard Bartholomew and Doris (Mcleod) Brandt in Mt.Clemens, Michigan. Bud moved with his parents to a farm on Armada Ridge Road in 1943 and graduated from Armada High School in 1947.

Vera Agnes (White) Brandt 

Vera Agnes (White) Brandt died on November 25, 2025, in Armada, Michigan at the age of ninety-two. Vera was born in Troy Township, Oakland County Michigan on April 23, 1933, the daughter of William Arthur and Faye (Cain) White. She grew up with her one brother and seven sisters on Bailey Street in Romeo and graduated from Romeo High School in 1951.

Bud and Vera Brandt’s Early Life Together 

Bud Brandt and Vera White were married December 5, 1951, in Angola, Indiana after Bud joined the marines and before he was shipped off to Parris Island Marine boot camp located in Port Royal,South Carolina. Later Bud and Vera moved to Beaufort, North Carolina, where Bud worked as aC-130 operator and was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. While in North Carolina Bud and Vera became lifelong friends with Carl Alfred and Verna C. Hatsell of Beaufort, NC and traveled back to visit them often over the years. Later Bud served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and traveled by airplane extensively which spurred his lifelong interest in airplanes.

In 1954, Bud and Vera moved to Armada where they subsequently resided for 71 years and raised their family of three sons, David, Howard, and Carl, on Prospect Street. Bud was a fixture in Armada with a longtime career working for the US Postal Service at the Armada Post Office serving as a Clerk, Rural Route Carrier, and Postmaster before retiring in 1986. Also, Bud worked the night shift for many years at the Armada Rubber Manufacturing Company and Armada Products Company. Bud was known for caring meticulously for his cars and backyard. He was a fan of the Lawrence Welk show and country music and later in life could be found concentrating on picturesque jigsaw puzzles.

Vera worked at drug stores in Romeo and Armada. She became famous for her baking and cooking skills, and people came for miles to purchase her home baked goods. She was known fondly by generations of children and adults for her handmade dinner rolls, delicious cookies, sugar donuts,coffee cakes, apple pies, clown decorated cupcakes, personalized birthday cakes, and intricate wedding cakes. Indeed, she taught cake decorating in Armada and Romeo Community Education.

Vera and Bud were enthusiastic bird watchers and enjoyed their backyard bird feeders for years. Vera was active in her church initially in the Armada Methodist Church and later in the Romeo United Methodist Church. There she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Moreover, Vera served as President of the Armada Planning Commission and helped complete the 1982 Armada Master Plan. In addition, she was appointed Deputy Treasurer in Armada under Anna Cox for several years.

Vera's Balloons R Fun Legacy 

Vera was well known for her creativity in making Halloween costumes and decorating her home outside for the holidays. As her baking career wound down, Vera started making centerpieces and balloon bouquets. Known as a prankster who loved to trick everyone, it was natural that she expanded to sell toys, stuffed animals, and novelty items. Therefore, it was not surprising when Vera and Bud started “Vera's Balloons R Fun” in their Armada home in 1986. With the help of their son Carl, the store was moved to a space on Main Street in Romeo in 1997, beginning an adventure that has shaped the store into one of the most cherished and recognizable small businesses in Downtown Romeo. Helping to prove that small towns thrive because of people like Vera and Bud.

As beloved, longtime business owners in Romeo, Bud and Vera were recognized as lifetime achievers for operating a unique shop on Main Street. In addition, in 2019, Vera’s decades of dedication and community spirit were recognized with the Greater Romeo-Washington Chamber of Commerce EMMA Lifetime Achievement Award — a well-deserved honor for someone who brought joy to so many. Today, we hold close the countless celebrations they made brighter, the moments they elevated with their artistry, and the love they shared with our entire community. We honor their legacy, we celebrate their lives, and we promise to keep the spirit of their names and dedication alive for years to come.

Bud and Vera’s Family Legacy Bud and Vera are survived by Vera’s sister Harriott Zwack of Capac, MI, and their children, David Edward Brandt of Shepherd MI, Howard Michael Brandt (Susan) of Gratiot, MI, and Carl Andrew Brandt (Dr. Cynthia Sitchon) of Wolverine Lake, MI. They were the grandparents to Nickolas Brandt,Elizabeth Gallagher (James), Marcus Brandt (Rachel), Jamie Wohlgamuth (William), and Justin Brandt. They are survived by five great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews, and their extended families. Bud and Vera were the bonus parents for Jane Ellen Morrison Steffensen (Bjorn) of Needham, MA, and dear friends of Elaine Hatsell Glover (Michael) of Midlothian, VA.

Bud and Vera were preceded in death by their parents, siblings, and their respective spouses:William (Bill) Sr. and Betty White, Mary Ann and George Borowski, Gloria and Alvin Sayle, Barbara and Jim Konarski, Pat Hammond, Karen and John Sheppard, and Bill Zwack. 

Bud’s final act of kindness was to give the gift of knowledge through donation of his body to Wayne State University. His legacy will live on through the countless medical professionals who will learn from his gift. In accordance with Vera’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

To family, friends, and everyone who adored them — our hearts are with you. To our beloved Villages of Romeo and Armada — we will get through this together, just as Vera and Bud always did everything: hand in hand, with love and 74 years of marriage.