Amelia Gillespie

Amelia Gillespie
Amelia Gillespie, 80, of Kirksville passed away Saturday, (October 24, 2009) at Northeast Regional Medical Center.
She was born July 19, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Frank and Linda (Ovadio) Gonzales. On October 13, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois she was united in marriage to Kenneth Gillespie who survives.
She is also survived by three daughters, Elaine Spring and Cathryn Gillespie of Kirksville and Yvonne Amelia Ross and husband Charles of Moberly, MO; one sister, Ester Lance and husband, Bill of Glenn Ellen, IL; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Amelia was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, one sister in infancy, and one brother in infancy.
She received her early public education in Chicago, IL and also while in Chicago attended the Jones Commercial Vocational School and Richards Cosmetology School. Amelia also attended what is now known as Truman State University in Kirksville. In 1957 she moved to Kirksville where she operated the A&W Root Beer Stand until the early 1960’s when she returned to Chicago to work in the offices of Helene Curtis and Goldblats Department Store. Following her retirement in 1973, Amelia and her husband moved to a farm southwest of Brashear, MO where they operated a dairy farm and raised dogs.
Amelia’s hobbies included crafts, playing pool, and raising and showing dogs. She was also involved in various benevolent organizations and local 4-H for fourteen years. She was a member of the APA pool league.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Robert Fredricks officiating. Special musical selections will be “Last Mountain I’ll Ever Have to Climb”. Internment will be at the Downing Cemetery in Downing, MO.
Pallbearers will be Charles Ross, Brian Ross, Michael Pinksa, Larry Billington, Kenneth Pinksa, and Mike Hadley. Honorary pallbearers will be Randi Gillespie and Billy Tingley.
Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233
Contributions may be designated to Breast Cancer Awareness and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home.