John Gillespie

Biography

Click here to view Rod's tribute video.

John Roderick Gillespie, 98 of Gothenburg, NE died August 23, 2007.

John Roderick "Rod" Gillespie was born May 14, 1909 in Lincoln, NE to King William and Jenny Mae (Covey) Gillespie.

He attended Lincoln elementary and high school through 10th grade. He transferred to MacPherson Central Academy in Kansas, where he graduated high school and junior college, he then returned to Lincoln and attended the University of NE.

He was married to Ora June Shafer in Marysville, KS on Sept. 28, 1929, for 76 years. They lived in Lincoln before moving to Chicago for a few months during the depression to find work. They later returned to Lincoln, and in 1935 moved to a ranch north of Arthur and bought their first section of land in 1937. The family moved to a farm west of Gothenburg in 1944.

During the 60é�a��a��s he earned his real estate brokers license and graduated from Auctioneering school.

He was a Mason and a member of Banner United Methodist Church for over 50 years.

Rod was a football fan especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He collected bells including the bells used in the Banner Church Bell Choir. He enjoyed raising and showing Belgium Draft horses. Rod loved spending time on his ranch in the Sandhills near Cody, NE. The spring of the year was his favorite on the ranch with calving and branding of the new calves.

There were four children; Jaynet McCance, Chadron NE; Jerry (Martha) Gillespie of Hopland GA; Terry (Anne Benedict) Gillespie, Red Oak, Iowa; Jenny (Dave) Armstrong Madison WI;

Besides his children he is survived by 21 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, Nephews, Nieces and their families and one sister Isabell Lampshire of Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother Wesly and wife Katherine and granddaughter Cathay (Suz) Witte, great granddaughter Sophie Sidoruk, and a son-in-law Charley McCance.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Banner United Methodist Church, Gothenburg, Nebraska, with Pastor Janie Freeman officiating. Burial will follow in the Gaslin Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 27, 2007, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to the Banner United Methodist Church P.O. Box 96 Brady, NE 69123.