Marilyn Elaine Brill

Marilyn E. Brill, 91, passed away June 4, 2024, at Story Point in Portage, MI.

She was born July 6, 1932, in Battle Creek, MI, to Rutherford and Valenta (Fuller) Bryant. Marilyn was the youngest of three daughters.

Marilyn was educated in Battle Creek Public Schools in her youth, and graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in music education. She taught orchestra and vocal music two years at Marshall Public Schools. She was also a visitor guide at the Kellogg’s Plant in 1955.

Marilyn married Charles Brill, whom she met in the music department at WMU, June 11,1955. The couple eventually moved to Ionia, MI where she became the choir director at First United Methodist Church. She directed the English handbell choir, the children’s choir and children’s plays. She was also heavily involved in the Ionia Community Theater as music director and she helped with the Ionia High School musical productions alongside her husband, Charles. Marilyn was an accomplished organist, pianist and violinist. She played the violin with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra after she moved to Kalamazoo well into her 80’s.

Surviving are her children, Brian (Ann) Brill of Chelsea; Thomas (Julie) Brill of Grand Rapids; Deanna (Matt) Kolodzieczyk of Portage; Denise Brill of Kalamazoo; one granddaughter, Margaret (Robert) Brill-Todd of Chicago; one great-granddaughter, Clara Todd of Chicago; sister-in-law, Deanna (Butch) Hindenach of Paw Paw; brother-in-law, Arthur (Mary) Brill of Paw Paw, nieces, and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents, sisters, Barbara (Gene) Crockett and Emily/Jo-Anne (Fred) Shouldice. Marilyn is the last of her generation. 

She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.