Bernard Miller Brakenhoff, 81, of Litchfield, died on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, at 8:22 p.m. at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 7, beginning at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Stephen Schmidt officiating. Burial will follow at Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield.
Mr. Brakenhoff was born Nov. 11, 1939, in Pana, to Carl and Lucille (Miller) Brakenhoff. He married Dinah Kay Fritzsche on June 20, 1964, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and she survives.
He graduated from Morrisonville High School with the class of 1957. He went on to the University of Illinois and received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1964.
During his career, Mr. Brakenhoff worked as a building contractor/salesman at Energy Tech Construction with his brothers, Les and Dale, for over 40 years. In his earlier years, he worked for Massey-Ferguson Tractor Company. He and his brother Les started Taylorville Farm Center and partnered there for approximately five years. He also worked with WelBrak Builders, building Bonanza pole barn buildings and was a sales rep. for Stamer Implement Company.
He was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Brakenhoff is survived by his sons, Kevin (Amber) Brakenhoff and Bradley (Michelle) Brakenhoff, both of Litchfield; daughter, Barb (Morrie) Fraser of New Douglas; three brothers, Leslie (Sue) Brakenhoff, Dale (Nancy) Brakenhoff, both of Litchfield, and Byron (Terry) Brakenhoff of Chattanooga, TN; three sisters, Ramona Warman of Charleston, Joyce (Larry) Simmons of Litchfield and Marilyn (Don) Loptien of Littleton, CO; sister-in-law, Kathy Brakenhoff of Nebraska; eight grandchildren, Austin (fiancee Witni Scott) Brakenhoff, Taylor Brakenhoff, Madison Brakenhoff, Stuart (Nikki) Fraser, Mason (fiancee Meghan Anschutz) Fraser, Bolton (Melina) Brakenhoff, Brandon (Jordin) Brakenhoff and Brett Brakenhoff; two great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Owen Fraser; special cousin, Ruth Ann (Elmer) Broers of Nokomis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, the Rev. Larry Brakenhoff; brother-in-law, Robert “Bob” Warman; and niece, Kimberly (Brakenhoff) Bergman.
Memorials may be directed to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield or Lighthouse Pregnancy Center.
To light a virtual candle or sign the online guestbook, visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
