Robert E. Bradney ("Brad"), born Aug. 10, 1923, passed away after a brief illness on July 15, 2015.

A lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Brad lived a life that transcended his humble roots.

He was president of his senior class at both Jacksonville High School and Illinois College. During World War II, he served with the 76th Infantry Division, 1943-1946, in France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Germany, and was awarded a Purple Heart. Back in the states, he earned a J.D. at Harvard Law School in 1950, then returned to Jacksonville where he spent the next half century as a trial lawyer in the firm now known as Rammelkamp Bradney Attorneys at Law.

A member of the Illinois State Bar Association, he served on many committees over the years, and earned multiple awards and honors, including the Illinois State Bar Association's Board of Governors Award, induction into the first class of Laureates by the ISBA, and Pillar of the Bar in the Seventh Judicial Circuit for his distinguished professional and community activities. He was a sought-after lecturer to lawyer groups for his expertise in legal ethics and trial tactics.

He served his community in a number of leadership roles at Trinity Episcopal Church, the YMCA, Morgan County Red Cross, Illinois College, and Passavant Hospital.

The son of Homer G. and Nancy C. Bradney, Brad met and married his wife of 64 years, Harriet Means, of Columbus, Ohio, who survives him. He is also survived by his four married daughters, Nancy Peltzman (Sam) of Chicago, Lyn Pickel (Tony) of St. Louis, Ann Bradney (Ezra Herman) of Los Angeles, and Gail Bradney (Lowell Miller) of Woodstock, New York. They also have 10 grandchildren: Shira and Talya Peltzman; Meg Zeimann (Chris), Matt Pickel, Ann Beck (John), Brad Pickel (Shelbie), Scott Pickel, Faye Pickel, Monica Pickel, and Finn Alvaro; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Virginia Bradney.

Brad was a renaissance man who was passionate about classical music, history, literature, and the latest tech gadget, and spent hours each day reading, watching lectures and documentaries, and exploring the world online. A tennis enthusiast in his younger years, he and his wife were avid hikers, canoeists, and bicyclists who logged hundreds of miles in this country and across Europe.

Everyone who knew Brad admired his brilliance, deep sense of ethics, encyclopedic memory, unflappable humor, and above all, his lust for life.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. The family will meet friends 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Private burial will be held at Diamond Grove Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made in Robert Bradney's name to the Passavant Area Hospital Foundation or Illinois College. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Jacksonville Journal-Courier on Jul. 18, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Bradney

9 Entries

Scott Hemphill

July 20, 2015

Our condolences to the Bradney family. As my brother mentioned, Bob and Harriet became great friends of our mother Ronda and they birded, hiked, biked, and cooked out together for many years. My wife and I were fortunate to also get to know Brad and Harriet and we made it a point to always visit when we came back to Jacksonville. We will remember the smiles, the laughs, and the deep caring for life.

July 19, 2015

Harriet and family:
So sorry to hear of your loss. My mother Ronda loved the biking and other outdoor companionship of you and Brad in her last years in Jacksonville. Brad was a terrific guy.
Sincerely,
Stuart R. Hemphill

Kay and Bob Black

July 19, 2015

Harriet and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. ...with deepest sympathy.

July 19, 2015

Dear Harriet and family,

We are so sorry to learn of Brad passing. He was such a dear friend to Audrey and Jack and they had so much respect for him. They shared many wonderful gourmet camping trip meals over a fire and under the stars. Brad's love of nature, reading, travel and his sense of humor and seemingly boundless energy were gifts passed on to his friends and all of us who remember him. When I got married, Harriet and Brad gave us a gift I have never forgotten. It was a set of kindling to start fires with and each one had written on it a different offering to bring to marriage: love, patience, humor, forgiveness, courage, energy, compassion, etc. I think of Brad and Hariett each time we build a fire and the love and kindness and generosity Brad brought to his wife, family and friends. He truly was one of Jacksonville's finest and we will never forget him.

Jill Leonard
Takoma Park MD

Kathy Hall

July 19, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Bradney's passing. I always felt related, in a way, to all of my dad's (Albert Hall) law partners and was always so happy to run into the Bradneys here and there over the years since then. I wish Peace and comfort to your family... He is a man who made the world a better place.

Bob and Deb Freesen

July 18, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you gather to celebrate Mr Bradney's life.

Brad & Kim Fellhauer

July 18, 2015

Everyone in business has customers that are, in some way, special. Usually, it's the business that is supposed to make the customer feel special.....but in this case....it was the other way around. Bob & Harriet Bradney frequented the cafe several times a month......since the week we opened. They were always there to share the special Holiday meals with us....and we loved it when they came in. Not once in all the times they came in did we EVER see either of them without a smile on their face....and they always put a bigger smile on ours. Its hard to describe the feeling you would get having a conversation with Bob....but I assure you, it was always rewarding. I know it's become somewhat of a standard line when someone passes away, but to say "Jacksonville lost a special person and friend"...would be a severe understatement. RIP Bob Bradney. You will be missed by more than anyone realizes.

Linda Burton

July 17, 2015

Mr. Bradney was one of a kind. Hilariously funny one moment, then serious as could be when an attorney would come to him for his sage advice. I am one of the lucky people who learned so much from him at the firm. He was a true treasure to the firm that continues to bear his name and really - - - to the entire Jacksonville community.

Brenda Irlam-Cutler

July 17, 2015

Sorry to hear of Mr Bradneys passing.

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