Hayward J. "Hub" Brill

Hayward J. “Hub” Brill was born on Monday, March 2, 1925, in Elk Falls, Kansas, the son of Paul T. and Victoria (Christensen) Brill. A resident since 1946, Hub made his home in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas, until his death on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at the age of eighty-six years. He graduated from Elk Falls High School in Elk Falls, Kansas with the class of 1943. Hub worked in construction following his military service. He then worked for Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles in Ottawa as the club manager for more than thirty years, starting in April of 1955 and retiring in April of 1985. Hub entered the United States Army Air Force at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas on August 13, 1943, at the age of eighteen. He was assigned as tail gunner on the B-24 aircraft, which flew missions in the South Philippines’ Liberation, China, New Guinea, Battle of Luzon, the Western Pacific and other Eastern mandates. He earned decorations and citations of the APT with six Stars, the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters and two Overseas Bars. He was discharged at Lincoln Army Air Field in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 17, 1945, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a member of Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901; Ottawa Lodge #803, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Warren Black Post #60, American Legion, all of Ottawa. On September 9, 1961, Hub was united in marriage with Betty Lee Miller in Miami, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on August 15, 2008. He is also preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marge Trawick, Betty Runn; and brother, Ted Brill. He is survived by three stepdaughters, Patricia Horne and her husband, Charles, of Vassar, KS, Linda Potocnik and her husband, Rudy, of Chanute, KS, Karen Miller of Ottawa, KS; two stepsons, Gary Gumm and his wife, Susan, of Omaha, NE, Dennis Gumm and his wife, Merry Lou, of Douglass, KS; sister, Virginia Caldwell of Pacifica, CA; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2011. IN STATE: Mr. Brill will lie in state from noon Friday to the service hour at Dengel & Son Mortuary, where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Grace Hospice of Lawrence or Alzheimer’s Association, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.