Otto Brillinger

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. God worked through His servant, Reverend Otto Arnold Brillinger. He was given life by his creator and was born April 3, 1931, to Alexander and Helene Brillinger. On April 11, 1931, he received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God. On September 21, 1945, he publicly confessed his faith and was confirmed. On August 6, 1960, he received the gift of a beloved companion in his spouse, Mildred Loretta Evenson. They were blessed with children, Catherine and Daniel, as well as a young baby and a daughter Carol Ann, who both died before birth. Mildred went to her heavenly home in December of 2013. On September 5, 2015, he received the gift of another beloved companion in his spouse, Jean Ann Franz.
He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1957. He served in France and also in the United States. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. During his time in the Air Force, he became a U.S. citizen, and he also felt God’s call to become a pastor.
God blessed his life with many special people as he served God as a pastor and missionary. He attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois from 1958-1964 when he graduated. He was then ordained at his home congregation, Concordia Lutheran Church of Cincinnati, Ohio in July of 1964. He served the following Lutheran congregations in Canada: St. Matthew of Calgary, Alberta; St. Peter of New Hamburg, Ontario; St. Paul of Tavistock, Ontario; and First Lutheran of Kingsville, Ontario. He served the following Lutheran congregations in Decatur: Zion-Friedheim and Immanuel-Union Township. He served the following Lutheran churches in Texas: St. Matthew Westfield, St. John Lincoln and Immanuel of Copperas Cove. He also served Peace Lutheran of Chicago, Bethlehem of Glen Arbor, Michigan and St. Paul of Good Harbor, Michigan. After his retirement in 1993, he was a faithful member of congregations in Texas and Indiana. He also began his work overseas. He worked with congregations in Nigeria, Lithuania, Kazakhstan and Spain. He traveled as long as he was able, but he still had regular contact with several congregations and pastors around the world.
He leaves to mourn his wife of Decatur; his brother, Erwin Brillinger of Milford, Ohio; his daughter Catherine Carr of Pennsylvania; his son, Daniel (Anita) Brillinger of Noblesville. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss him dearly. He leaves to mourn his grandson, Eric (Nora) Carr and great-grandchildren, Ronan and Edven of Davenport, Iowa; granddaughter, Ana (Jacob) Deal and great-grandchildren Isaiah, Titus and Loretta of Sharon, Pennsylvania; grandson, Michael (Allie) Carr and great-grandson, Levi; granddaughter, Cecelia Brillinger of Bryan/College Station, Texas; grandson, Sasha Carr of Pennsylvania; and granddaughters, Clarissa and Serena Brillinger of Noblesville.
On September 13, 2021, God called him home to Heaven at age 90. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mildred; two children, a very young baby, who died before growing to full term and a daughter, Carol Ann, who died right before birth on December 23, 1963; and his son-in-law, Rev. Timothy J. Carr. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 22 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Union Township, 8538 North 500 East, Decatur. Officiating will be Reverend David Koeneman. The service will be livestreamed on the Zwick and Jahn Facebook page. Due to COVID concerns, there will not be a visitation. Graveside service will be at Crownland Cemetery, 1776 Monument St., Noblesville at 3 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Concordia Theological Seminary Brillinger Endowment Fund, 6600 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46825 (be sure to designate Brillinger Endowment Fund). Memorials may be obtained through Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur.
Arrangements provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, in Decatur. Assisting Funeral Director - Ray Ackerman of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, Iowa. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.