Shaun R. Brandel

Shaun R. Brandel, 39, of Pottstown, died Thursday at the Harborview Rehabilitation and Care Center in Doylestown after a long fight against glioblastoma. He was the son of Bonnie J. Brandel, Pottstown, and Robert Brandel and Lorraine Miller of Leesport.

Born in Pottstown, he was a 2004 graduate of Pottstown High School, where he had the starring role in the school musical, “Oliver!” He was a former member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ and sang in the church choir.

He went on to Montgomery County Community College where he earned an associate degree in business/human resources. He worked as a human resources recruiting specialist for Berks and Beyond, Penske Logistics, and Omega Human Resources.

Shaun enjoyed following NASCAR and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles; however, his true passion was auto racing.

From participating in the Pottstown Soapbox Derby as a boy, he went on to years in dirt track racing as a micro sprint car driver at speedways in Delaware and Pennsylvania, becoming well-known and winning many races on the sprint circuit. His dream was to become a NASCAR driver.

He started saving for his first race car the day he turned 14, getting a job at McDonald’s in Pottstown and working there and at Pep Boys throughout high school to earn money for racing.

He was the 2002 Rookie of the Year at the Airport Speedway in Delaware and was awarded “Most Improved Driver.” His career in racing spanned 15 years.

Shaun never stopped trying new things and learning even after becoming ill. He was last employed by Champion Homes as a concrete foundation specialist. In the past year, he was pursuing carpentry, a hobby following in his father’s footsteps.

Surviving in addition to his mother, with whom he resided during his illness, and his father and stepmother are a sister, Briana Cardona-Leinbach and Austin Cardona-Leinbach, of Shillington; one niece Lilliana and nephew Josiah.

He is also survived by a grandmother Janet Brandel, of Limerick; several aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins. He was predeceased by grandparents Roy and Ruth March and Lewis Brandel, as well as beloved aunts and uncles Richard and Thelma Kellar and Shirley Hostetler.

Funeral services will be at noon on Thursday, May 29, at Houck and Gofus Funeral Home, 955 N. Charlotte St., Pottstown. Pastor Robert Keiderling, Bayada Hospice chaplain, will officiate. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park. A viewing will be 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday. For those unable to attend in person, a webcast of the service will be available. Please click here to view. If you have any questions, please contact us at 610-323-8220.

The family thanks Bayada Hospice nurses, aides and social workers for their kind and diligent care during the final weeks of Shaun’s illness.

The family also asks that contributions be made in Shaun’s memory to the Glioblastoma Foundation, P.O. Box 62066, Durham, NC 27715, to support the work of finding a cure and developing more effective treatments to ease the suffering from this devastating disease.