The Reverend Otto Arnold 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.

Otto was given life by his creator and was born on April 3, 1931,  the child of Alexander and Helene Brillinger. On April 11, 1931, Otto 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. 

Otto 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 Otto’s life with many special people as he served God as a pastor and missionary. Otto 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 and St. Paul of Tavistock, Ontario, and First Lutheran of Kingsville, Ontario. He served the following Lutheran congregations in Decatur, Indiana: 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 and 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, Jean, of Decatur, Indiana, his brother, Erwin Brillinger of Milford, Ohio, his daughter Catherine Carr of Pennsylvania and his son, Daniel (Anita) Brillinger of Noblesville, Indiana. His grandchildren and great grandchildren will miss him dearly. He leaves to mourn 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, Indiana. 

On September 13, 2021, God called Otto 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. 

A Service of Christian Burial will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Union Township, 8538 North 500 East, Decatur, Indiana 46733 Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend David Koeneman officiating.  Due to covid concerns there will not be a visitation.  The graveside service will be at Crownland Cemetery, 1776 Monument St. Noblesville, Indiana 46060 at 3:00 p.m. 

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are appreciated to Concordia Theological Seminary Brillinger Endowment Fund, 6600 N Clinton St. Fort Wayne, IN 46825 (be sure to designate Brillinger Endowment Fund).  Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana. Assisting Funeral Director - Ray Ackerman of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, Iowa. 

The service will be livestreamed on the Zwick and Jahn Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Zwick-Jahn-Funeral-Homes

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, in Decatur, Indiana. Assisting Funeral Director - Ray Ackerman of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, Iowa. 

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