Frank P. Gillen

Frank P. Gillen, of Savanna, IL, passed away Wednesday, April 3, at MercyOne Medical Center in Clinton, IA. Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be take place in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. A celebration of Frank’s life and luncheon will be held at TNT’s bar immediately following the burial at the cemetery.

Frank was born June 3, 1945, son of Frank and Angelita (Hernandez) Gillen. He was one of 11 kids, and grew up in Savanna, where he attended Savanna High School. Frank married the love of his life, Betty Laing on April 18, 1968. Together they celebrated 46 years of marriage. Frank worked for the Railroad in his younger days, and after worked at Drives for a short time. Frank then worked at Quebecor Printing, in Mt. Morris, from where he retired.

Frank loved camping with his wife and family. He had a passion for music, especially music from the 50s and 60s, and of course Elvis. He was a big fan of the Steelers, the Cubs, and Miller Lite. He always enjoyed time spent with his buddies at the bar. When Frank was relaxing at home he loved home shopping from QVC. He was helpless to the good deals they were offering on the channel. He liked QVC so much he had them on his cellphone speed dial. Later in life Frank had the opportunity to meet and reconnect with all of his children. This reunion of family long lost made him very proud and happy to be a Dad.

Frank will be dearly missed by his three children, Monica (Paul) Smiley of Savanna, Troy (Georgie) Alderman of Camanche, IA, and Daniel Gillen of Clinton; 19 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; seven siblings, Arthur Gillen, John Gillen, Rose Reiff, Victoria Darrah, Toni Shearer, JoAnn (Bruce) Ward, and Rita Mitchell; many nieces and nephews, and his close friend Merle Haring. Frank is preceded in death by his wife, Betty; three sons, Frank, Joseph, and Rick; and three brothers, Edward, Joseph, and Michael.