Father Brantman Dies April 10 in Somonauk
April 18, 2014

SOMONAUK—Father Thomas E. Brantman died in his sleep at St. John the Baptist Parish rectory, here, April 10, 2014.

Father Brantman was born on June 15, 1946, in Waukegan, to Robert and Beatrice May Brantman.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1975, by Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill at  Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford.

His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish, Sterling. He then was appointed as director of religious education and faculty member of Aquin Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School in Freeport, while serving as parochial administrator of St. Catherine Parish, Freeport. He became acting superintendent and principal of Freeport Catholic Schools.

He was appointed as administration assistant at Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford while assigned as pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Hartland.

Other assignments were as parochial vicar at St. James Parish, Rockford; parochial vicar at St. Patrick Parish, St. Charles; parochial administrator at St. Mary Parish, West Brooklyn and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sublette; pastor of St. Rita Parish, Rockford; pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Hampshire; pastor of St. Mary Parish, Sterling and parochial administrator of St. Mary Parish, Tampico; pastor of St. James Parish, Belvidere; pastor of St. John Parish, Somonauk.

Survivors are brothers Robert “Buzz” (Peg) Brantman, Deerfield; Frank (Peg) Brantman, Plymouth, Minn.; James Brantman, Deerfield; William (Jeanne) Brantman, Carlsbad, Calif.; Peter Brantman, Beach Park; Charles Brantman; sisters Beatrice (Michael) Pek-karinen, Lincolnshire; Maria “Retti” Brantman, Deerfield; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Father Brantman was preceded in death by his parents, brother Eugene and sister Mary Ann.

Visitation was Monday and Tuesday, April 14 and 15, 2014, at St. John the Baptist Parish in Somonauk.

The funeral Mass was Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at St. John the Baptist Parish in Somonauk, with Bishop David Malloy as main celebrant.  Interment will be at a later date.