Robert "Bob" Brakley

Robert (Bob) Donald Brakley passed away on November 13, 2024, at the age of 101 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born in Covington, Indiana on December 30, 1922. Bob left a 101-year-old legacy of dedication to his country and community with kindness and humility that will be remembered by all who knew him.

Bob graduated from Hammond Technical Vocational High School in 1941 and worked as a welder at the Pullman Standard Car Co., welding M-3 tanks for Great Britain. Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and received Army Air Corps Student Officer Pilot Training in 1944 after passing the exam in Houghton, Michigan. While there, Bob and Ann were married in February. After WWII ended in Europe, he returned to his original Army Unit in 1945 and proudly fought for our country during the invasion of Okinawa. Bob was a Technical Staff Sergeant, 3rd Grade in the 625th Ordnance Battalion and chose to be honorably discharged in 1946 after saying NO to a request from the Air Force to join.

After the war, Bob held jobs as a bus driver and welder at Youngstown Sheet & Tube. Bob served as a Highland, Indiana Police Officer for 22 years, retiring as the Chief of Police in 1976. Bob was the oldest member of the Fraternal Order of Police and of the Donald R. Sheppard Lodge #122, having been a member for 68 years. He also served as a Highland Volunteer Fire Fighter in the 1950’s and 1960’s. After his police career, Bob continued working as a supervisor for General Drainage and finally retired as a Garage Door Installer and Warehouse Supervisor for Crawford Doors in 2010 at the age of eighty-eight.

Always serving the community, Bob was active in Kiwanis, and the Indiana Masonic Lodges #735 & #712 as a Master Mason, which he was appointed to in 1963. He was a 32-degree Scottish Rite member for 63 years with the Orak Shrine in Michigan City, IN. He joined the Griffith American Legion Post #66 in 2015 and enjoyed the veterans there. He was a long-standing member of Lincoln Street Christian Church and served as a Deacon for many years. Bob will be remembered as a true hero to many, always just a phone call away to help those in need and as a father figure to several more.

Bob is survived by his daughter & caregiver of 14 years Barbara and son Jeff (Kristen). Grandchildren Donna (Todd), Jennifer (Patrick), Betsy and Jack. Great grandchildren Morgan (BJ), Mallory (Patrick), Nicolas, Matthew, and Samantha. Great, great grandchildren Scarlett, Will, Brooke, and Simon. He is also survived by his brother Larry (Sharon).

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Ann (2010), son Jack (1999), five brothers, two sisters, parents Loren and Pauline, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 23, with visiting from 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm at Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 8580 Wicker Avenue, St. John, IN  46373. Burial services will be private.

Bob requested any donations be made in his name to the Highland, Indiana Fraternal Order of Police Donald R. Sheppard Lodge 122, P.O. Box 1743, Highland, IN 46322, the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, Inc. 525 N. Illinois St., PO Box 44210, Indianapolis, IN 46244-0210, or Riley Children’s Foundation PO Box 3356, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1293.