Cover photo for Howard Gilliland's Obituary
Howard Gilliland Profile Photo
1930 Howard 2011

Howard Gilliland

May 12, 1930 — October 16, 2011

Howard Wayne Gilliland, one of 14 children of Charles C. and Mildred (Gaston) Gilliland, was born May 12, 1930 in Leavenworth, Kansas. He attended school in Leavenworth, Weston, Missouri and St. Deroin, Nebraska.

On April 12, 1953 Howard was united in marriage to Laura Lorraine Palmer in Hiawatha, Kansas. They were blessed with three daughters: Sondra Lee, Susan, and Shirley. Howard and Lorraine lived in Nemaha County during their life together, moving into Auburn in 1975.

Howard was a man of many talents, and worked in various positions during his life. He began as a deckhand working a barge on the Missouri River, and later worked for Lehr Farms. Howard next worked for the Nemaha County Department of Roads before returning to farming with Grant Farms, from which he retired.

In his spare time Howard liked to fish, and he played guitar and sang in a country band called the Fugitives. He always enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After Lorraine?s death in November of 2001, Howard stayed in Auburn and was able to live alone until right before his passing. He passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn at the age of 81 years, 5 months, and 4 days. In addition to his parents and wife Lorraine, Howard was preceded in death by 8 brothers and 1 sister.

He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law Sondra Lee and Bob Sawtell of Pensacola, FL; Susan and Bob Delay of Lincoln; Shirley Torres of Auburn; grandchildren Sean Knickman, Rob Sawtell, Charlotte Ann Sawtell and fiance Brandon Steed, Michael and wife Tracy Breazile, and Krista Torres; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law Carol and Tom Brannon of Quemado, NM; Clara and Marvin Vrtiska of Wymore; Donna Lee and Jerry Yeck of Wymore; Linda Seydlitz of Wymore; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Pastor Gary Ganger. Pallbearers were Sean Knickman, Rob Sawtell, Michael Breazile, Jim Grant, Claude ?Buck? Jones, and Sonny McConnaughey. Honorary pallbearers were Charlotte Sawtell, Krista Torres, and the great-grandchildren. Burial followed in Mt. Vernon Cemetery at Peru.
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