George E. Gillen, 90, of Monmouth, IL passed away at 8:44 am on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at his home.
George was born April 28, 1933 in Hale Township, Warren County, Monmouth, IL, the son of Edward T. and Kathryn E. (Gavin) Gillen. He was raised and educated in Warren County, attending Hale Center Grade School and graduating from Monmouth High School with the class of 1951.
George served with the United States Army during the Korean War stationed in Germany.
George married the love of his life, Mary Olin on June 20, 1959 at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Alexis, IL and she survives.
George farmed his entire life in Warren County, centered around Hale Township.
He was a lifetime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Monmouth where he served as one of the first to be an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. He was also a member of the Monmouth Knights of Columbus, the Monmouth American Legion and served on the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Monmouth.
George’s life focus was his family, farming, his children’s and grandchildren’s many sporting activities. In his spare time, he loved to spend time taking care of the family golf course in the front yard that served as a focal point of many events for his family and many friends. George didn’t know a stranger and upon meeting George you were considered a friend.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Mary; 7 children, George (Laura) Gillen of Monmouth, Jim (Susan) Gillen of Greencastle, IN, Sue Lovdahl of Petersburg, IL, Matt (Jevanie) Gillen of Monmouth, Mike Gillen of Monmouth, Katy (Jamie) D’Aprile of Davenport, IA and Patricia (Shane) Bertelsen of Monmouth; 18 grandchildren, Daniel (Adrianne) Gillen, Ben Gillen, Rebecca (Alex) Tanney, Grace Gillen, Lucas Gillen, Claire Gillen, Aaron (Audrey) Lovdahl, Alex (Sammi) Lovdahl, Allison Lovdahl, Connor (Megan) Gillen, Sam Gillen, Carly Gillen, Mattison Gillen, Dominick D’Aprile, Gianna D’Aprile, Matthew (Kelsey) Bertelsen, Charlie Bertelsen, and Reece Bertelsen; 9 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Matthew Thomas Gillen; 6 sisters, Katherine Mills, Margaret Sullivan, Mary Weber, Lucille Gillen, Francis Elliott and Betty Hennenfent; 3 brothers, William “Bud” Gillen, LeRoy “Roy” Gillen and Richard “Dick” Gillen;
Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:00 am, Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Monmouth. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Monmouth. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, Friday, January 12, 2024 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth with a Rosary Service beginning at 4:30 pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Immaculate Conception School and sent to the funeral home. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com
