Jack Brill

(From Parker Mortuary)

Jack Norman Brill, age 86, Joplin, passed this life on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Jack was born March 22, 1939 in Joplin, son of the late Bruce Preston Brill and Beulah Olive Belle (Lumpkins) Brill and was one of eight siblings. He grew up in Joplin and graduated from Joplin High School before attending Joplin Junior College before receiving his Mechanical Engineering Degree from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, MO. He worked for over 53 years at Eagle Picher in Joplin. 

Jack was very proud to have worked on projects and developed batteries that were used at the dawn of the space program including the Apollo Program culminating in man landing on the moon, Skylab, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Mars Rover among numerous others. He loved solving problems and working to push technology before ultimately retiring in 2014 at age 75. He received several international awards for his design and work batteries. He loved to hunt and fish, play golf, shooting pool, and raise bird dogs. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, and a member, deacon, and the youngest Elder appointed at his church, First Christian Church of Joplin. 

Family was paramount to him and he was always involved with his kids and grandchildren, coaching their many athletic teams and cheering from the sidelines over the years. He taught his kids many lessons, the most important of which was to love God and embrace life. He will be greatly missed by many.

In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by sons, Matthew Christopher Brill and Daniel Preston Brill, and a brother, Bruce Brill.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Cheryl Faith (Garner) Brill; children, Michelle Renee’ Hardy (Bill) of Melrose, WI, Jack Norman Brill, II (Regina Redeagle) of Neosho, MO, Deborah Ann Brill of Joplin; grandchildren, Samuel Hardy, Amanda Hardy, River G. Brill, Emma G. Brill, and Jack P. Brill, III; brothers, William Brill, Walter Brill, Dr. Orville Brill, Virgil Brill, and Gene Brill; sister, Shirley Bernings; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with family serving as pallbearers.




The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.