Gerald “Jerry” Gillum, 83 of Kirksville passed away Thursday (April 12, 2018) at Northeast Regional Medical Center.
Jerry was born July 27, 1934 at Elco in Putnam County, MO, the son of Charlie and Dovie (Thompson) Gillum.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Willard Gillum, and sister Marie Hazelwood.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Shirley Gillum; daughters, Vicky Halstead of LaPlata, Missouri and DeLinda DaSilva-Davey and husband Robert of Oahu, Hawaii; grandchildren, Ryan Halstead and wife Sarah of LaPlata, MO, Dana (Halstead) and husband Joe Weber of LaPlata, MO, Jamie and Kristina DaSilva of California; great grandchildren, Logan and Piper Elise Halstead of LaPlata; nephews, John (Janice) Gillum, Roger (Ellen) Gillum, & Robert (Vickie) Gillum of Kirksville and Ed Hazelwood of Illinois and several cousins.
Jerry attended the Burns Rural School in Putnam County and Unionville High School graduating in 1953. He also attended Missouri University in Columbia.
Jerry married Shirley Paris in 1955 and to this marriage two daughters were born, Vicky and Delinda.
Jerry worked for Palace Bakery, Prairie Farms Dairy and Tindall Beverage "Pepsi Cola" where he worked for 32 years before going to work for Century 21 Whitney Agency in 1990 until December 2016. While working at Century 21 he was successful with obtaining several sales awards.
For many years he was an avid bowler and served as secretary for the Kirksville Bowling Association for a number of years. Jerry loved sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
He was a devoted member of the Masonic Lodge #366 A.F. & A.M., Columbia Valley Scottish Rite, Moila Temple of St. Joseph, Missouri, Honorary member of the Shrine Legion of Honor of St. Joseph, El Kadir Shrine Club where he served as President in 1985. He was a member of the El Kadir Mini Cars for 39 years along with chairman of the annual El Kadir Turkey Day Event for 32 years Jerry also served as a board member of the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce from 1992-1998. Jerry was an active strong supporter of civic and community events.
Jerry was a devoted member of the Cornerstone Church and was baptized along with his great granddaughter Piper Halstead on March 11, 2014.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He enjoyed being with friends, family and enjoyed fishing.
Visitation will be held Monday April 16th from 5-7 p.m. with Masonic service to follow at Davis-Playle-Rimer-Hudson Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday April 17th at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Pastor Jeremy Broach officiating. Entombment will be in Park View Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233
Memorial in memory of Jerry are suggested to Cornerstone Church or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.