Iris Gillen
Iris Faye Gillen, 78, of Galesburg, Ill. died at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at her home.
Born May 6, 1930, in Monmouth, Ill. she was the daughter of Claude and Sarah Dant Walters. On Feb. 7, 1948, she married Billy Junior Gillen. He died March 29, 2008.
Mrs. Gillen owned and operated Fay’s El Combo Decorative Dolls in Larchland, Ill. She attended Monmouth Public Schools. She was of the Catholic faith. She enjoyed going to the boat and playing slots, sewing, going to the “Oaks” and her monthly card club.
Survivors include two sons, Shawn Gillen of Cameron, Ill., and Casey Gillen of Surprise, Ariz.; two daughters, Sarah Williamson of Chillicothe, Ill., and Garda Tatum of Fayetteville, N.C.; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister; nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and four sisters.
No visitation is planned. Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth is in charge of arrangements.
The graveside funeral for Mrs. Gillen will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Monmouth Cemetery.
A memorial is being established.
This was my Mama. I called her and checked on her everyday the last five years. We would talk for hours, and my calls from the road were the highlight of her day. She loved her John Steinbeck books and movies, and I bought her about 25 first edition hardback Steinbeck books. My Mother was my best friend, and I miss her dearly. I did not put a picture of her on this blog because I thought an Irish Cross was much more appropriate, as Mama always tried to put God first. She died exactly 60 days after my Dad died. Their love for each other is a testimony in itself.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
#1 by Allen on June 1st, 2008
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Bill,
My sincere condolences at your loss. I truly believe that she is happier now and keeps a better eye on you than she ever has before. You most definately will miss her, but she is closer to you and happier than she has ever been. I too am a momma’s boy, and know the day when I will not be able to hear her voice and hold her hand will come. I do not look forward to that day.
Here is the song I sang to her over the phone on Mothers day:
He got here red and wrinkled scared and crying
Then she took him up and held him to her breast
And He sure felt safe to know that she was near him
Then he went to sleep and put his fears to rest
It didn’t seem to matter what he needed
He could always count on mother to supply
And regardless of his little deeds of mischief
He always found a true love in her eyes.
We ought to say a prayer of thanks for mothers!
Creations most unique and precious pearls
Father help us always to remember
That the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!
She showed him faith and virtue, love and goodness
And how to say his prayers beside his bed
And as he grew from little boy to manhood
She always turned him to his priesthood head
She taught him all the attributes of greatness
That she knew he’d never learn away from home
And by the time she turned him over to his father
Her hair was gray but her little man was gold
I’d like to say a word of thanks for mothers!
Creations most unique and precious pearls
Father help us always to remember
that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!
Yes the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!
God bless,
Al the trucker
#2 by Jason Lee (Admin) on June 3rd, 2008
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I would like to express my condolences for your loss. Although I never knew your mother or father, I know they raised a true patriot. Keep up the good work my friend.
#3 by true christian on June 14th, 2008
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It does a disservice to put a cross on a place so full of hate. Find a better place to remember your mama.
#4 by Bill Gillen on June 14th, 2008
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A place so full of hate? Welcome to America, where we ALL have Freedom of Speech.
Who are you to judge me? Judge not, lest you wish to be judged.
Hate? You make a comment like this on a page where I am remembering my Mother. How hateful is that?
You need to use a different email address since you are so full of hate and are so rude. Your email address is love@jesus.com
You are just angry that I do not support your Anti-Christ Barack Hussein Obama.
You would not know Jesus if he chased you out of his house with a cat of ninetails.
#5 by Bill Gillen on June 14th, 2008
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What a clown. You make a comment like that and then use a fake email address. You are just a dirty little coward. And one more thing, not all Christians hide behind the name of God like you. As for me, I’d go through you like a train, and after I kicked your ass I’d explain to you why Jesus made a whip and beat the money changers out of his Fathers House. It was an example of justified anger.
And you have justifiably angered me punk.
#6 by Allen on June 15th, 2008
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STILL CAN’T SAY GOODBYE
Spoken introduction:
“You know, every time I look in the mirror I see my Dad.
I think that’s why this song means so much to me.”
When I was young, my Dad would say
Come on Son let’s go out and play
Sometimes it seems like yesterday
And I’d climb up the closet shelf
When I was all by my-self
Grab his hat and fix the brim
Pretending I was him
No matter how hard I try
No matter how many tears I cry
No matter how many years go by
I still can’t say good-bye
He always took care of Mom and me.
We all cut down a Christmas tree
He always had some time for me
Wind blows through the trees
Street lights, they still shine bright
Most things are the same
but I miss my Dad to-night
I walked by a Salvation Army store
Saw a hat like my daddy wore
Tried it on when I walked in
Still trying to be like him
No matter how hard I try
No matter how many years go by
No matter how many tears I cry
I still can’t say good-bye
-Chet Atkins
Happy Fathers Day Bill, sometimes the heart just needs to bleed, just to relieve the pressure.