Terry Gilmore

Terry Lee Gilmore was a caring, compassionate and loving grandpa. Terry died suddenly, at the age of 64 on Monday, November, 3, 2014 at his home. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon, Saturday, November 8, 2014, at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll, Illinois. A memorial gathering will be held from 10:00-12:00 Noon, prior to the service at the funeral home.
Terry was born on April 10, 1950, the son of Orville and Fayetta (DeSpain) Gilmore in Geneseo, Illinois. He attended Mt. Carroll High School, before enlisting in the United States Army. Terry served as an engineer in the Army for three years, during his enlistment he was stationed in Korea. He married Deborah J. Hatfield on February 19, 1971 in the Community Church, Savanna. Terry later married Cleta “Cissy” Partin on May 27, 2006 in the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa.
After he was honorably discharged, Terry came home and worked construction for his father. Terry later owned and operated Gilmore Home Improvement, beginning in 1992. He loved travelling and spent three winters in Alaska building barracks for workers. He loved the outdoors, especially hiking and walking his dogs. Terry had a way with people and would make people laugh, simply with a smile. He enjoyed telling stories, most notably about the time he couldn't afford bus tickets home, so he rode his bicycle from Florida to Illinois. Terry enjoyed playing pool and poker and was a former Arm Wrestling Regional Champion. Most of all, Terry loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandkids.
Terry will be dearly missed by his wife, Cleta of Mt. Carroll; one daughter, Michelle Thulion of Mt. Carroll; three sons, Terry (Stacey) Gilmore of Tomah, Wisconsin, Timothy Gilmore of Mt. Carroll and Jon (Magda Zajac) Gilmore of Arvada, Colorado; eight grandchildren, Abra, Drake, Olivia, Majestic, Ella, Sienna, Allison and Brianna; four siblings, Colleen (David) Hitz of Manteno, Illinois, Wayne (Beverly) Gilmore of Mt. Carroll, Frank (Mary) Gilmore of Savanna, Illinois and Carol Jean Young of Mt. Carroll; his first wife, Deborah Hatfield of Savanna; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Terry was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Tamara Hope Gilmore; and one brother, Gerald “Goldie” Gilmore.