Max Prill

A memorial service for Max Kurre Prill of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Jackson, will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Dr. Grant F. C. Gillard, pastor, will officiate.

Friends may call at First Presbyterian Church from 12:30 p.m. Wednesday to service time at 1 p.m.

Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

A private graveside service was held in Jackson City Cemetery.

Mr. Prill, 88, passed away Monday, Sept. 25, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 22, 1918, in Centralia, Ill., son of the late Max H. and Faye Kurre Prill. His mother was born and reared in Burfordville. He developed strong ties to Jackson by visiting his grandparents and staying many summers with his uncle and aunt, Herman and Freida Wolters. On Nov. 4, 1944, he was married to Marilyn Hackward in Webster Groves, Mo. She survives.

He graduated from Centralia High School, and Washington University in St. Louis, receiving a business degree in 1942.

The Prills moved to Jackson in January 1951 with their daughter, Cynthia, and then another daughter, Marybeth, was born and the family settled into life in Jackson.

He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, since 1951, being ordained as a deacon in 1953, and ordained as an elder in 1961. He had been a Sunday School superintendent, and chaired many committees in the church.

Mr. Prill and Ernie Hahs opened Prill-Hahs Motor Company, a Ford Dealership in the 1950s. Later, Mr. Prill became employed by Lenco Inc. in Jackson in 1962, and became executive vice president of Lenco Inc., retiring in 1986. He was awarded the highest degree of certification by the St. Louis Chapter of National Association of Purchasing Agents.

Max had always been active in community affairs especially after his retirement from Lenco. His civic and community involvement included being a member of the Jackson Park Board, a 55-year member of Jackson Chamber of Commerce, and recipient of the Fulenwider Award in 1996.

Mr. Prill clocked many miles walking during the past 20 years of retirement, many of those miles through the city parks. He was a proud citizen of Jackson and community volunteer.

Surviving besides his wife are two daughters and a son-in-law, Cynthia Howell of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Marybeth and Kirk Williams of Jackson; and a grandson, Trent Howell of Poplar Bluff.

He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Ken Howell.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, or the Jackson R-2 School Foundation.