John J. Gillaspie was born March 31, 1920 on his parents’ farm-ranch in the Ottumwa, South Dakota area, the son of James H. and Mary Margaret (Ball) Gillaspie. He attended rural school through the 9th grade and graduated from Midland High School in 1938. As a young man he worked for various ranchers in Haakon County.

He was united in marriage to Avis Schilling on April 30, 1945 in Midland, South Dakota. After their marriage, they made their home in Midland until October 1945 when they moved to a ranch north of Midland, where John worked for Western Cattle Company. In May 1946 they moved onto their own farm-ranch northeast of Ottumwa where they

resided until 1957 when they moved into Midland. While in Midland they operated a Blacksmith Shop until 1971. Then they moved to the Sivage Ranch near Four Corners where they lived and worked until 1977. In 1977 they moved to Ord, Nebraska where they owned and operated a cafe and lounge until moving back to Midland in 1990. In 1991 they moved onto the Sandbo Ranch in the Deep Creek Community where they worked for Bill Markwed until the fall of 1995 when they retired and moved into Midland.

John was a member of St. Williams Catholic Church in Midland and a member of the Midland Senior Citizens Center.

Grateful for having shared his life is his wife Avis Gillaspie of Midland, four sons, John L. Gillaspie and his wife Barbie of Hot Springs, South Dakota, Ken Gillaspie of Pierre, South Dakota, James Gillaspie and his wife Sharon of Pierre, South Dakota, and Rocky Gillaspie of Midland and special friend Lisa Hodgin of Ft. Pierre; four daughters, Evie Abrahamson and her husband Doug of Bowman, North Dakota, Marilyn Gillaspie and her fiance Jim Hoyt of Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, Mary G. Schofield and her husband Vincent of Midland, and Delores Suminski and her husband Carl of Broken Bow, Nebraska; fifteen grandchildren; eight great-grandsons; 10 step-grandchildren; four sisters, Mary Ellen Schofield of Midland, Alice Peterson of Omaha, Nebraska, Margaret Whipple of Omaha, Nebraska, and Cathy Lullo and her husband Carmen of Gwinn, Michigan; several nieces and nephews; and a very special family friend Linda Hodgin of Rapid City.

John was preceded in death by a daughter in infancy; three sons, Ronald L. Gillaspie October 7, 1999, Conrad J. Gillaspie on February 2, 2000, and one son in infancy; one grandson, Dean Joseph Gillaspie; his parents; one brother, James Gillaspie, and three sisters in infancy.

Visitation was held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m., all at St. William's Catholic Church in Midland.

Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 18, at the church, with Father Ron Garry as celebrant.

Interment was in the Midland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family request a memorial be established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, November 18, 2004 10:00 a.m.
St. William’s Catholic Church
Midland, South Dakota
CELEBRANT
Father Ron Garry
LECTOR
Eleanor Zuccaro
ALTAR SERVERS
Amy Petoske – Chelsea Nemec
MUSIC
Judy Fosheim – Organist
Barb Jones – Vocalist
"Amazing Grace"
"Go Rest High On The Mountain"
"How Great Thou Art"
"On Eagle’s Wings"
USHERS
Philip O’Connor – Ivan Schilling
PALLBEARERS
John’s Grandsons
Jay Gillaspie – Cody Gillaspie
Michael Schofield – Daniel Gillaspie
John D. Gillaspie – Tim Gillaspie
Joe Gillaspie – Aaron Olson
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
John’s Granddaughters
Vicki Daly – Chrystal Strohfus
Connie Marie Gillaspie – Katie Marie Gillaspie
Katherine Gillaspie – Jessica Gillaspie
Abbie Gillaspie
INTERMENT
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota