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Thomas

Thomas J. Gillespie

d. January 2, 2020

Thomas J. Gillespie 93, passed peacefully from this world into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 2, 2020 at his Newton residence.  He was born November 11, 1926 in Phillips, Wisconsin to Thomas E. and Olive M ( Butler) Gillespie.

 

He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1945. On February 7, 1959 he married Dorothy T Grosse at Rockford, Illinois and she preceded him in death on May 12, 2003.  Thomas moved to Newton in 2001 to be closer to his family

 

He served his country in the U.S. Army where he served as a ambulance driver in WWII. He earned his honorable discharge in 1946. 

 

Thomas had a love of music and played drums since he was a young man.  He was a member of the Tri-City Musical Association and the Rockford Musical Association.  He enjoyed Big Bands, Dance Bands and Dixie Land Jazz.

 

He was a typesetter by trade and completed 25 years in the International Typographical Union and continued instruction in compugraphic systems until his retirement after 50 years in the trade. 

 

He was a generous blood donor through the years and will be remembered as a loving husband of 44 years and proud and loving father and grandfather.

 

He is survived by his daughter and son in law Shirley and Brad Stephens of Newton, Grand children Colin; Sarah; Darin and his sister Nancy Vercautran of Moline, IL.

 

He is preceded in death by his wife, parents and three sisters.

 

Private family graveside service will be held in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Newton

 

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