Eddie Bratton

Eddie Lee Bratton, 86, of Danville, Indiana went to be with Jesus on August 6, 2024. Eddie was husband to Lois Jean Bratton for nearly 64 years. He was the dad of Alan and Leslie, Amy and Nathan, Andrew and Lisa, and Angie. He was grandpa to Sammy and Nancy Claire, Lizzie, Andrew and Lauren, and Nathan. He was an uncle, a friend, an oldest best friend, a minister, a singer, a counselor, a confidant, a volunteer fireman, a choir leader, a teacher, an electrician, a carpenter, a plumber, and volunteer hired hand for whatever ministry he and mom were engaged in. But the role he cherished most was as a lover and follower of Jesus. Everything in his life flowed from this simple truth, Dad loves Jesus. And now he is with Him.

Eddie was born in Fort Scott, Kansas on July 3, 1938, to Dwight and Ilda Bratton. Eddie was the middle son, younger brother to Larry and older brother to Dennis. The family was baptized together at Young’s Chapel Christian Church in Salem, Illinois. Dwight and Ilda were active in churches in Salem, Joliet, Lockport and Lake of Egypt, all in Illinois. Larry, Dad and Dennis each entered the ministry serving churches throughout the Midwest and Southeast United States. Dad is preceded in death by his parents and older brother Larry.

Dad loved music. He started playing the clarinet in 2nd grade earning many awards through his middle and high school years. Dad attended Cincinnati Bible Seminary because they were the Bible college with the best music program. He graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible. During his time at Cincinnati, he traveled and sang with the gospel quartet The Ambassadors. Dad had a lifelong love of gospel music in all its forms and was able to enjoy a concert by the Melton Family Singers a few days before his death. Dad was ordained into the ministry on January 8, 1961, at First Christian Church in Joliet, Illinois. His father Dwight was one of the men participating in his ordination service.

Dad married his college sweetheart, Lois Jean Haynie on August 26, 1960, and this formed a lifelong ministry team that served Catlin Church of Christ in Catlin, Illinois, Northern Hills Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kalkaska Church of Christ in Kalkaska, Michigan, First Christian Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee, and Petersburg Church of Christ in Petersburg, Illinois. Dad retired from full-time ministry in 2008, and he and mom moved to Danville, Indiana in 2011. Dad and mom continued serving through their local church in Danville at Northview Christian Church as volunteers in ministries such as the Clothes Closet, the Senior Saints, Neighborhood Fellowship, and as Life Group leaders.

Dad was a thoughtful and learned man. Never finishing his education. He earned graduate degrees at Xavier University (Master of Education) and Kentucky Christian College (Master of Ministry). He never stopped reading and learning, and his love of God’s Word only grew over time.

One of dad’s favorite places is Wilderness Christian Assembly, a church camp that he helped to found near Kalkaska, Michigan. Dad’s handprints are seen at the camp on each of the dorms, the main building, the dredged pond, the bathroom building, and the trees that are planted to surround the property. Each visit to Kalkaska included a trip to the camp to see how it looked.

While we are proud of all that our dad did and accomplished, his real impact is seen through the hundreds of people that he touched. The people he ministered to, the people he baptized, the people he taught, the people he married and the people he buried. His favorite verse is Psalms 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Dad lived for his words, his thoughts and his actions to honor the God that we all share.

Funeral services for Eddie Lee Bratton will be held in both Danville, Indiana and Kalkaska, Michigan.

Visitation and funeral services in Danville, IN will be held at Northview Christian Church. Visitation with the family will be Friday, August 9, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 10, with visitation at 10:00am and service at 11:00am.

Visitation, funeral, and interment services in Kalkaska, MI will be held at Kalkaska Funeral Home on Monday, August 12. Visitation will be at 10:00am and service at 11:00am. Interment will be at Evergreen cemetery will follow the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the following causes that were very dear to Eddie:

Northview Christian Church Senior Saints

624 N State Road 39

Danville, IN 46122 

Wilderness Christian Assembly

4408 Kniss Rd SE

Kalkaska, Michigan 49646