o Christene O. Brandenstein, age 77, of Carmi, passed away Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Phoenix Rehabilitation and Nursing Care surrounded by her loved ones. She was born September 9, 1934, in Holdenville, Okla., the daughter of Elmer and Lorene (Lucas) Sexton. She married Allen Brandenstein on October 30, 1965 in Carmi, and he survives. Christene was a nurse at the Skilled Care Nursing Home for many years. She was a member of Stewart Street Baptist Church. Christene is survived by her husband of 46 years, Allen Brandenstein; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kim and Juan Martinez of Evansville, Ind., and Kari Brandenstein of Carmi; a granddaughter, Josie Martinez, of Evansville, Ind.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Maxine Maier of Carmi, and Sue and Dean Gilbert of Decatur; and a brother and sister-in-law, Darrel and Helen Sexton of Carmi; four sisters-in-law, Jan Sexton of Carmi, Sandy Sexton of El Cajon, Calif., Ramona (John) Welker of Carmi, Kathy Brandenstein of Spencer, W.V.; and many special nieces and nephews. Christene is preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, Gerald, Leland, and Kenny Sexton. Private family services will be held at Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi. Pastor Kenny Rager will officiate. Burial will take place in White County Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be left at kittinger-fairfuneralhome.com. Christene O. Brandenstein, age 77, of Carmi, passed away Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Phoenix Rehabilitation and Nursing Care surrounded by her loved ones. She was born September 9, 1934, in Holdenville, Okla., the daughter of Elmer and Lorene (Lucas) Sexton. She married Allen Brandenstein on October 30, 1965 in Carmi, and he survives. Christene was a nurse at the Skilled Care Nursing Home for many years. She was a member of Stewart Street Baptist Church. Christene is survived by her husband of 46 years, Allen Brandenstein; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kim and Juan Martinez of Evansville, Ind., and Kari Brandenstein of Carmi; a granddaughter, Josie Martinez, of Evansville, Ind.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Maxine Maier of Carmi, and Sue and Dean Gilbert of Decatur; and a brother and sister-in-law, Darrel and Helen Sexton of Carmi; four sisters-in-law, Jan Sexton of Carmi, Sandy Sexton of El Cajon, Calif., Ramona (John) Welker of Carmi, Kathy Brandenstein of Spencer, W.V.; and many special nieces and nephews. Christene is preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, Gerald, Leland, and Kenny Sexton. Private family services will be held at Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi. Pastor Kenny Rager will officiate. Burial will take place in White County Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be left at Kittinge-rFair Funeral Home The Carmi Times.