Raymond L. Gillespie

Raymond L. Gillespie 88 of Cedar Springs passed away Thursday, February 4, 2010 at his home after a valiant fight with cancer. Ray was born June 21, 1921 in Crystal Township, MI the son of Sherman and Ethel (Pritchard) Gillespie. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy and retired from Sparta Foundry in 1977. He enjoyed camping, hunting and snowmobiling. He was a member of the Glen Hill American Legion Post #287. Surviving are his wife, Thelma whom he married on June 14, 1941; children, Raymond Jr. & Delores Gillespie, Lanny Gillespie, Linda Colleen & Dale Thurston, Edwin & Nancy Gillespie, Debra Merlington & Bruce Duncan, Diane & Edward Sipka, Dale Merlington; 24 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Harry Wickham; sister-in-law, Edith Tisdel; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 children, Darlene St. John and Leonard Gillespie; 2 grandchildren, Lisa Gillespie and Paul Thurston; 1 great granddaughter, Stephanie Huntoon; 2 sisters, Margaret Wickham and LaVonna Heffner; 1 brother, Melvin Gillespie. The family will receive friends Saturday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, where services will be held Sunday 1:30 pm. Pastor Dick Riley officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan or the American Cancer Society.