Brill - Fern Wharton - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Fern Wharton Brill, 99, Crawfordsville, died Wednesday in Whitlock House. Mrs. Brill moved to Crawfordsville in 1972 and was director of Christian Education at St. John’s Episcopal Church until 1983.  She authored five books, including The Story of St. John’s and its People,” and an autobiography, “The Girl from Kansas and I don’t mean Dorothy.”  Her memberships included the church, Chapter BE of PEO, Daughters of the American Revolution; Art League; Montgomery County Historical Society; Athenian; Antiques Study Club; Sugar Creek Players and a docent for the Old Jail Museum and Lane Place.  She served as chairperson of the American Red Cross Braille Corps at Denver, Colo during WWII and taught many young, blinded soldiers to read Braille. She was also a radio engineer at KMYR at Denver. She graduated from Cottey College in 1923 and majored in journalism at the University of Missouri. She was born July 24, 1903, at Coyville, Kansas to Warren and Matilda Wharton. She married Glenn Marsden Brill on Dec 24, 1925. He is deceased.  Surviving are two daughters, Barbara W. Simmons, Sarasota, Fla and Bridge B. Brelsford, Crawfordsville; six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled 3 p.m. Saturday in St. John’s Episcopal Church. Hunt & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Cottey College, Nevada, Mo 64772 or St. John’s Episcopal Church.