Obituary of Edward T. Gillespie

Edward T. Gillespie, age 75, of Park Forest, Passed away Monday, December 4, 2017.

Ed was a Vietnam War veteran who, in spite of serving in the Food Service Squadron, weighed only 207 lbs. when he was discharged. He was married at the time and had two young children: a son, Shaun Edward, and a daughter, Genia, both of whom are adults now with families of their own. He went on to gain 100 lbs and suffer numerous health set-backs. He remarried in 1970, and has lived with his  wife,  Mary, since then.

Ed was a  big man with a somewhat foreboding appearance, yet people were drawn to him beause of his caring attitude and willingness to offer an opinion on any issue. He meant so much to so many-- to his friends, whom he always  joked with, to widows, who report that he was the only one of their late husband's friends to offer help at the times of their loss, to complete strangers in check-out lines, and to youngsters who would run to him wiith open arms and give him a big "hello" kiss. 

Ed will be missed by family and friends.

Funeral services for Edward T. Gillespie will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.  Full military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the United States Air Force and Pastor William Beagle will officiate.  Family and friends may gather directly at the cemetery at 12:45 p.m.  For more information, please call 815-741-5500.