Bernard Gilliland

Ancestors

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Nathaniel Sipes [send private message]

Biography

WWII Service Archive of Bernard Gilliland

Obituary

Rock Island Argus

Bernard S. Gilliland, 87, of Aledo, died Monday, Oct. 21, 2002, at Mercer County Hospital, Aledo.

Bernard was born June 18, 1915, in Kilbourn, Wis., son of Glenn S. and Ethel A. Brown Gilliland. He married Ola Eileen Rutledge April 9, 1950, in Cerro Gordo, Ill. She preceded him in death May 14, 1988. He married Virginia Wyatt Puyear Aug. 3, 1991, in Wyanet, Ill.

Bernard retired in 1976 after working for the United States Postal Service for 40 years. He was the Aledo postmaster for six years and assistant postmaster for 11 years. Prior to that, he was office manager for the former Harney-Morgan IH dealership and employed by the former Cagle Clothing Store and Ron's Clothing of Aledo.

Bernard was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant of the 77th Tactical P38 Lightning Recon Fighter Group with campaigns in Burma, Guam, India and North Africa.

Bernard was a member of United Methodist Church, Aledo, and was a past chairman of the church Administrative Board and former lay leader of the church.

Bernard was a member of the following organizations: past master and member of Aledo Masonic Lodge 252, AF & AM; Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Moline; Mohammed Shrine Temple, Peoria; West Central Illinois Shrine Club; Aledo Shrine Parade Patrol Unit; past president of the Aledo Chapter of the American Red Cross; past commander and member of the American Legion, Falleran's Post 121, Aledo. He was a Mercer Township trustee. He was a former 4-H leader and was superintendent of rabbits and chickens for many years at the county fair.

Bernard enjoyed traveling with his wife, just recently returning from Alaska. He also enjoyed raising cattle and listening to music. In earlier years, he sang in a quartet with his brother and sisters. He was a devoted father and grandfather who enjoyed attending his grandchildren's school functions.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ola; a son, James Stewart Gilliland; a brother, Robert; and a sister, Katherine Rosten. (Rock Island Argus, Oct. 22, 2002)

Burial: Aledo Cemetery Aledo Mercer County Illinois, USA

Quad City Times

Bernard Gilliland Obituary - Quad City Times

"Bernard Gilliland ALEDO, Ill. - Bernard S. Gilliland, 87, Aledo, died Monday, Oct. 21, 2002, at Mercer County Hospital, Aledo.

Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at United Methodist Church, Aledo. Burial with military services will be in Aledo Cemetery.

Visitation is 4-8 p.m. today at Trimble Funeral Home, Aledo. Masonic services will be conducted at 7 p.m.

Mr. Gilliland retired in 1976 after working 40 years for the U.S. Postal Service. He was postmaster in Aledo for six years and assistant postmaster for 11 years. Before that, he was employed as an office manager at the former Harney-Morgan IH Dealership and worked at the former Cagle Clothing Store and Ron's Clothing, Aledo. He was a Mercer Township trustee and sang in a quartet with his brother and sisters in his early years.

He was born June 18, 1915, in Kilbourn, Wis. He married Ola Rutledge in 1950 in Cerro Gordo. She died in 1988. He married Virginia Puyear in 1991 in Wyanet. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Force. He served as a staff sergeant with the 77th Tactical P38 Lightning Recon Fighter Group with campaigns in Burma, Guam, India and North Africa.

Memorials may be made to the church or Shriners Children's Hospital.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia; daughter, Eileen Sipes, Aledo; sons, B. Paul, Aledo, and Brian S., St. Charles; seven grandchildren; and sister, Margaret Eager, Galesburg."

Sources

• Rock Island Argus, 2002-10-22
• Quad City Times, 2002-10-22
• Aledo Cemetery, Aledo, IL; Nathaniel Sipes, 2014-03-30