Joseph David Gillen

Joseph David Gillen, age 67, of Savanna, died Saturday, August 13, 2011 at FHN Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. A visitation will be held 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. A private family graveside service will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.
Joe was born May 26, 1944 in Sterling, Illinois, the son of Frank Peter and Angelita (Hernandez) Gillen. He attended Savanna Schools and was brought up in the Catholic Faith. Having seven children came naturally to Joe, as he was one of eleven children. Joe bartended at Green’s Tap, worked at Night Owls Floor Cleaning in Clinton, Iowa and also helped mow and maintain the Savanna Cemetery. He enjoyed reading, fishing and walking.
Joe will be dearly missed by four daughters, Justine Gillen of Stockton, Elaine (Andrew) Larsen of Lena, Joleen Gillen and Shane Townsend of Stockton and Jessica Gillen of Clinton; three sons, Joseph Gillen of Freeport, David (Gloria) Lawson Gillen of Visalia, California and John “Jake” Gillen of Clinton; seventeen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; his father, Frank Gillen of Morrison; five sisters, Rose (Jerry) Reiff of Thomson, Victoria Durrah of Savanna, Toni Shearer of Wasilla, Alaska, JoAnn (Bruce) Ward of Kewanee and Rita (Greg) Mitchell of Clinton; and four brothers, Frank (Betty) Gillen of Savanna, Arthur Gillen of Rock Island, Ed Gillen of Savanna and John Gillen of Savanna. Joe is preceded in death by a daughter, Michelle; a grandson, Cody; a brother, Michael; his mother, Angelita; and a nephew, Joseph.