Guy K. Gillespie

Guy Kenneth Gillespie, age 94, of Parker, Kansas passed away Friday, April 25, 2014 at Guest Home Estates, Garnett, Kansas. Guy was the first born child to Clarence and Margaret (Fisher) Gillespie. He was born on October 18, 1919 at Clearmont, Missouri. His family lived in Clearmont until moving to Kansas City, Kansas in the late 1920's. Guy graduated from Rosedale High School in Kansas City, Kansas in 1938. Following high school he worked for Schanze Furniture. Guy earned $15/week working 6 days a week there. In January of 1945 Guy entered the US Army. He served in the Philippines during WWII. According to Guy the war ended while he was on his way to the Philippines because they heard he was coming. In April of 1946 Guy was honorably discharged and returned to Kansas City. On July 14, 1946 he married Dorothy Belle Ross in Kansas City, Missouri. They lived in Lyndon, Missouri and Guy worked for TWA in Kansas City until moving to Anderson County, Kansas in 1948. In 1951 Guy moved to his current farm on the Linn / Anderson County line. Guy worked as a union carpenter for over 30 years; he was a lifetime member of the Local #714. At the time of his retirement Guy remarked that an hour's pay equaled what he earned for 6 days work at his first job. In his retirement Guy continued to farm and sell Jacques (now Mycogen) Seed. He was a life member of the American Legion Post #294 in Centerville, Kansas and V.F.W. Post #6887 in Greeley, Kansas. He was a charter member of the Silver Haired Legislators, serving as one for 4 years. Guy enjoyed fishing, pheasant and quail hunting, and woodworking. He will be missed for all of the stories that he loved to share. Guy was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy on November 16, 2002; a sister, Ava Jo Downs; a great-great-granddaughter; and a daughter-in-law, Janet Gillespie in 2014. He is survived by his 5 children, Lorna Holloway and husband, Howard, of Claremore, Oklahoma, Karen McIlvain and husband, Clarence, of Ottawa, Kansas, David Gillespie of Humboldt, Kansas, Don Gillespie and wife, Vickie, of Lebo, Kansas, Mike Gillespie and wife, Debbie, of Parker, Kansas; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Ruth Bowlin of North Ft. Meyer, Florida; and his companion, Ardena Kilet of Garnett, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett. Burial with military honors will follow in the Cadmus Cemetery, Cadmus, Kansas. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM, Monday evening at the Centerville Community Church. Memorial contributions may be given to the Centerville Community Church or to Guest Home Estates or to Heartland Hospice, and may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .