George Franklin "Jud" Gillespie

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George Franklin “Jud” Gillespie, age 96, lifetime resident of Kendallville, died Thursday, November 8, 2018 at home.  Mr. Gillespie was born at his parent’s home on Krueger Street in Kendallville, Indiana on April 3, 1922 to the late Gordon and Jennie Mae (Sillaway) Gillespie. He honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1942-46 during WWII and the Battle of the Bulge in Europe.  He was a sergeant and drove a tank with the 11th Armored Division.  When he returned from the war, he married his beautiful bride, Grace Maxine Hose, on March 16, 1946 in Kendallville. They remained faithful in marriage for 72 years and lived in the same house on Pleasant Street all their married lives. Jud retired in 1988 from the Plumbers & Steam Fitters Local Union 166, Fort Wayne. He was a member of the First Church of God, American Legion Post 86, V.F.W. Post 2749, and the Elks Lodge all in Kendallville. Jud was an avid golfer and he loved playing golf. He made a hole-in-one on the #5 hole at the Limberlost Golf Course in Rome City when he was 86 years old on October 22, 2008!  He also loved ice fishing and hunting. He loved to go for drives in the country looking for deer and would drive by all of his children’s homes to make sure things were ok. He loved to spend time with his family and grandkids and great grandkids. 

Survivors include:
Wife of 72 years, Grace Gillespie of Kendallville.
Son, Larry Gillespie of Kendallville.
Son, Dennis Gillespie of Kendallville.
Son, Dean and Michelle Gillespie of Kendallville.
Son, Keith Gillespie of Kendallville.
Daughter, Marilyn and Paul Carpenter of Kendallville.
Daughter, Barbara and Robert Deisinger of Kendallville.
9 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild (and one the way!)
Sister-in-law, Frances (Easterday) Gillespie of Kendallville.
He was preceded in death by his son, Carl Gillespie; daughter-in-law, Rose Gillespie; sisters, Mary (Don) Ihrie, Alta (Harold “Jake”) Hite; Betty (Ed) Ebert; brothers, Delton (Beverly (Grossman) Gillespie; and Robert Gillespie.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville with visitation prior to the funeral service from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Officiating the funeral service will be Pastor Jim Kane.
Burial with military honors will take place at Lake View Cemetery in Kendallville. Pallbearers will be Jud’s grandsons.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Church of God, Kendallville.
Share a favorite memory or send a condolence online at hitefuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home.

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