Richard P. Brandon, age 86, U.S. Army Korean War Veteran, late of Calumet City. Beloved father of Michelle Strum, Jo Ann (Fred) Scanlon, Sherri (Scott) Dixon and Michael (Cheri) Brandon; proud grandfather of 10; dear great-grandfather of 9; loving brother of 12; kind uncle of many nieces and nephews. Richard was the oldest of 13 children born to the late Forrest and Genevieve nee Ribordy in Tampico, IL. When his father was drafted into the Army in 1943, Richard took his first job at age 13 in a local foundry. After his father returned from the Army, his family moved to a farm, working many hours without electricity, milking cows by hand and farming with horses until they purchased a tractor. Richard then worked in a factory and for the railroad before becoming an operating engineer in 1950. He was drafted into the Army in 1951 and served for two years as an Engine re-builder, truck, airplane and helicopter mechanic, as well as a crane, shovel and bulldozer operator for the combat engineers. As a Member of Midwest Operating Engineers Local 150, Richard worked on bridges and buildings in Liberia, Venezuela and Chicago. Richard loved his family very much and dedicated his life to them and his profession. Visitation Tuesday 3:00 pm – 8:00 p.m. Funeral service Wednesday 10:30 a.m. at Thornridge Funeral Home (Janusz Family Funeral Service) 14318 S. LaGrange Rd. (Northbound traffic: U-Turn permitted at 143rd St.) Orland Park. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.