Donald R. Gilliland

Donald R. Gilliland, age 87, of Celina, passed away at 4:03 p.m., Tuesday, November 27th, at Mercy Health - St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima.

He was born September 11, 1931, in Celina, to the late Jesse E. & Madonna Pauline ( Hanks ) Gilliland.

He first married Phyllis Adams, a former classmate, in 1951. Together they had three sons: Glenn ( Jane Siebert ), Steven, and Kevin ( Amber ) Gilliland, all of Celina.

In 1981, he married Carolyn Sparkman, and they had three sons: Donald Jr. ( Taryn ) Gilliland of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, and Brian ( Lindsay ) Gilliland and Douglas ( Jade Temple ) Gilliland, of Celina.

Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Jesse, Peyton, Piper, Parker, Zoe, Emma and Ramona Gilliland, and two great grandchildren: Kaleb and Abby Gilliland.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis Adams Gilliland, two brothers: Richard L. and Robert E. Gilliland, a granddaughter, Abby Nicole Gilliland, and a niece, Gwen Gilliland.

Don was a 1949 graduate of Celina High School, and attended the Hobart School of Welding.

A Plumber & Pipefitter in the Lima area for 35 years, Don was a 60 year member of the Local Union #776 Plumbers & Pipefitters of Lima.

Don was a proud member of the "K" Company Ohio National Guard Unit in St. Marys, and a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the states.

He was a 50 year member of Celina Masonic Lodge #241, and a social member of Celina V.F.W. Post #5713.

Don was a past president of the Mercer County Sportsmen Association and the Western Buckeye Pony Club of Lima, and he enjoyed Trapshooting, and showing Hackney ponies. 

The family will greet friends at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Celina, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 30.  A Masonic Service will be held at 1:45 p.m., with the Funeral Service immediately following at 2:00.  Pastor Craig Flack will officiate.

Burial will be at Mercer Memory Gardens, Celina,  with graveside Military Rites to be conducted by Celina American Legion Post #210 and VFW Post #5713.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the West Central Ohio Kidney Foundation. 

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