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John Michael Brillhart
1972 - 2017
John Michael Brillhart
1972 - 2017
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1972
DIED
2017
John Brillhart Obituary
Springfield, IL—John Michael Brillhart, 44, of Springfield passed away on Monday, November 6, 2017, in Bloomington, Illinois. He was born on November 17, 1972, in Springfield to Cline and Carol Price Brillhart. John married Sarah Hrenko on June 17, 2000, in Springfield, and she survives.
John is survived by his two daughters, Cora and Sadie Brillhart, and his parents, Cline and Carol Brillhart, all of Springfield; three brothers, Tim Brillhart of Springfield, Jeff (Connie) Brillhart of Savoy, and Mark Brillhart of Springfield; one sister, Kelly (Marty Ryan) Brillhart of Fishers, IN; six nieces and nephews, Zack, Connor, Sarah, and Makena Brillhart, and Jack and Nick Ryan; and his special aunt, Shirley Welker, and special cousin, Julie Welker, both of Knoxville, TN. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and a special cousin, Cindy Welker.
John graduated from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 2002 and was a member services rep with Teachers Retirement System. He was a self-taught musician who took an interest in music while in college. John was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist in Springfield for more than twenty years and was very active in the Springfield music scene, both helping with and playing at the various downtown music festivals. John was currently hosting the Tuesday open mic nights at George Ranks. He enjoyed cheering on the Chicago Cubs, but most of all, he treasured the time he spent with his beloved daughters, Cora and Sadie.
The family will meet friends for a memorial gathering from 3:00pm-7:00pm on Friday, November 10, 2017, at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to www.grammy.com/musicares. Please visit John's online "Life Remembered Story" at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
A Friend
November 1, 2022
Miss you brother!
Amy Marx
November 25, 2017
Our most heartfelt Prayers of Love, Comfort and Peace go to Sarah, Sadie, Cora and the entire family.
Sue Kerouac
November 22, 2017
Mrs. Brillhart and Kelly, I don't know if you remember me from your 3rd grade year at Dubois, but I remember you both dearly. I will keep your family in my prayers. I also have lost a brother , Sam, and who knows, their paths may have crossed in the Springfield music world. I imagine them jamming in heaven ! Sue Kerouac ( Giordano)
Phyllis Markley
November 19, 2017
Carol and Cline, sending you my sincere condolences.
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Kelley Dinsmore
November 17, 2017
So very sorry to hear about John. He was such a great guy. Sarah, Sadie, and Cora my thoughts are with you.Much love.
Kelley
November 13, 2017
I'm sorry for your loss, he will surely be missed. Yvonne Trombley, Springfield
Donna Bucci
November 12, 2017
Annette Zeter
November 11, 2017
Sarah, Cora and Sadie,
I am so very sorry for your loss. May you find peace and comfort in the upcoming days. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Dawn O'Malley
November 10, 2017
Sarah, thinking of you and your family.
Gary & Julie VanDerSlik
November 10, 2017
We are so sorry for your loss.
November 10, 2017
Kelly, Marty and Brillhart Family.
Very sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. My heart goes out to you.
Sherry Greco
Joe Coffey
November 10, 2017
A good, good man gone far too early.
My thoughts are with the Brillhart family and the many, many people that has the good fortune to have known John.
Bless you all
chris legan
November 9, 2017
My most sincere condolences to the Brillhart family.
Skylar Staples Family
November 9, 2017
Cora and family, Our deepest sympathies go out to you. So sorry for your loss.
D'Ann Brooks
November 9, 2017
Dear Brilliant Family, I am soo sorry for your whole family's loss. My family lived a few homes down from you all in Knox Knolls Subdivision back in the early 70's I believe. (325 Collier drive)(Kents IGA owners bought the house when we moved to Westchester subdivision.)
I pray for the White Light of the Holy Spirit', to surround all of John's family & friends , with comfort, understanding, love, continued faith & hope. May MotherFather God, wrap their arms around you all during such a difficult loss. Sincerely, D'Ann Brooks
November 9, 2017
Kelly, Marty and Family---please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your friends at ERM.
Rick and Sonja Geist
November 9, 2017
Tim and family, Sorry for the loss of your loved one. Our thoughts are with you.
Connie Riegel
November 9, 2017
Sarah,
I am so sorry for your loss. I was so shocked and saddened by it. My deepest sympathies. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bobbie Maggio
November 9, 2017
Cline, Carol, and all the Brillhart family,
I wish I could find the words to convey my deepest sympathies and love. I am so very sorry for your loss. John was such a kind and friendly soul. He was so devoted to his sweet girls. As his parents your great pride was evident each time you spoke of him. I can only pray that given time your grief will be replaced with memories of the many happy times together.
November 9, 2017
Amazing human being!
November 9, 2017
November 9, 2017
Toni and John Klit
November 9, 2017
Carol and Cline,
Our heartfelt sympathy. Many memories of the boys playing soccer so long ago but then really only yesterday. May your heart heal as you remember all the wonderful times. Know you will be there your granddaughters. They are beautiful. God bless you all.
Donnelly Bohan
November 9, 2017
I just looked at the wonderful pictures posted. John always had a smile on his face and an easy spirit about him. As word spread of this terrible news through the SHS 91 family, we all reacted with shock and sadness. We also remembered the great love of John from his classmates and the joy he brought then and now. I can't think of Brillhart without smiling. He was a lovely human! My deepest condolences and prayers to his family and friends on this tragic loss.
Amy Agirbas
November 8, 2017
Tim Brillhart and family, I am so sorry, for your loss. Sending condolences and prayers up for his soul and your sorrow. May you find peace with all your wonderful memories. Rest in Eternal peace John.
Donna Long
November 8, 2017
So sorry for your loss. He was my son's teacher at Building Blocks 17 or 18 years ago. He used to bring his guitar and sing songs with the kids. i remember he liked Kit-Kats. He told my son if he wasn't good that Santa would bring him socks and underwear. He was a great guy!
Patrick Orr
November 8, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I will remember him fondly, particularly in getting to know him way back on Collier Drive. My sincere condolences to the Brillhart family.
Kari Bedford
November 8, 2017
John had a huge impact on the Springfield music scene. His passion for music and for sharing it with others completely altered the course of music culture here. He brought alt-country to life for anyone and everyone who was smart enough to listen to his recommendations. He was a great songwriter, a standup guy, a friend to everyone. He will be greatly missed.
Laura Webster Logan
November 8, 2017
My sincere condolences to the entire Brillhart family. You all are in my heart and prayers!
Jill Flavin
November 8, 2017
Sarah, I am so very sorry to hear of this loss for you and your girls..... Please know you're in the hearts and prayers of many.
Tracy Scaduto
November 8, 2017
My sincere sympathies to all of John's family. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Jill and Alan Friedman
November 8, 2017
Dear Brillhart Family,
Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
November 8, 2017
May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this very sad time
Psalms 29:11
Mark Sanders
November 8, 2017
John was one of the good guys and I'm sorry he is gone. So many memories of his warmth and smile and his music. This one hurts.......
My prayers are with his entire family, especially his daughters. May they know that their dad was an honorable and good man, who lived life with joy and made others feel loved.
God Bless you John....till we meet again!
Mark Butler
November 8, 2017
I didn't know John that well- played with him a few I didn't know John that well- played with him a few times at Mike Ralph's house jams. But was immediately struck by John's genuine and sincere nature. He also wrote some great songs. I remember asking a few times after he'd sang a song at one of these jam sessions, "Who wrote that one?" Expecting the name of a famous singer-song writer, John would reply very modestly, "That's one of mine." So sorry for John's family. Thinking about you all.
Sincerely,
Mark Butler
Mark Butler
November 8, 2017
I didn't know John that well- played with him a few I didn't know John that well- played with him a few times at Mike Ralph's house jams. But was immediately struck by John's genuine and sincere nature. He also wrote some great songs. I remember asking a few times after he'd sang a song at one of these jam sessions, "Who wrote that one?" Expecting the name of a famous singer-song writer, John would reply very modestly, "That's one of mine." So sorry for John's family. Thinking about you all.
Sincerely,
Mark Butler
Annette Nelson
November 8, 2017
Dear Brillhart family...I am so saddened to learn of the passing of John...please be assured that my thoughts and prayers are with you all....Sincerely, Annette Nelson
Barbara Harris
November 8, 2017
Sara,Cora and Sadie my heart and prayers are with you in this trying time. May you find strength in the love of your friends and family . You will be in my thoughts.
Heather Roark (Griffin)
November 7, 2017
Brillharts
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Besides Mark, John was my other brother. Growing up with Derek and Mark as brothers, John and I had no choice but to be friends. John looked out for me my freshman year at SHS and helped me through a rough first semester at Eastern. John is definitely one of the good guys! Much love to Cline, Carol, Mark, and the rest of the crew.
Jessica Thannen
November 7, 2017
Dear Brillhart family,
We are so deeply saddened at this news. We were just discussing the Thannen, Brillhart and Griffin families are all back at SHS. Your family is in our prayers.
Mark, Jessica, Andrew, and Claire
Betsy Jones
November 7, 2017
Mark and family. I am so sorry to hear of the tragic loss of John. My thoughts and prayers are with you your family and friends
TRS Coworker
November 7, 2017
RIP
Monica Imig
November 7, 2017
I worked with John a very long time ago. I will always remember him playing his guitar and making up songs with the preschoolers. To his entire family, I'm sorry for your loss.
Mary von Liski
November 7, 2017
Heartfelt sympathy, caring thoughts, prayers. Wishing the family: a song in your hearts; a rainbow after the rain; sunshine after the clouds; peace; cherished memories.
November 7, 2017
Cline, Carol & family,
We are so very sorry to hear about John. He was such a great guy. We are thinking & praying for all of you.
Paula & Terry Viar
Kate Roebuck
November 7, 2017
Kelly and family, I was shocked and saddened to hear the sad news about your brother this morning. There are no words that will comfort you today, but I pray that you all will find some peace as you remember his life and happier times.
Angie Ackerson
November 7, 2017
John and I started the same day back in 2006 at TRS and we became walking partners during our breaks. He was genuinely caring, had an ability to make me laugh on my worst days, and was such a caring soul. You were one of a kind, John. I'm praying you are making music in heaven. RIP John.Angie Ackerson
Heidi Noel
November 7, 2017
John was a larger-than-life character. Such a wonderful spirit. He had such a gift for making people laugh and went out of his way to make everyone feel special. I had the pleasure of working with him. He made me laugh on a daily basis. Super compassionate. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. There's a soul that will be missed. God bless your family. John made a huge impression and impact.
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2931 South Koke Mill Road, Springfield, IL 62711
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