Charles W. "Chuck" Gillespie

Charles W. “Chuck” Gillespie

Age 96, of Vandalia, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Miami Valley Hospital. Chuck was born July 2, 1920 in Van Wert, Ohio to Don & Crystal (Powell) Gillespie. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and brothers John and Eldon “Eddie”.

Chuck attended Ball State University but left early to voluntarily defend our nation during WWII. He served with the 8th Air Force in the European theatre on a B-17.

He worked as an Industrial Engineer at the Frigidaire division of General Motors, for 33 years, and has been retired for the last 37 years. One guiding principle of life Chuck endlessly modeled was the importance of putting others' needs before his own. He continued to demonstrate this during his final days. Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Mary "Fran" Gillespie; his children, Don and wife Vicki, Steve and wife Pascale, Debbie and husband Joe Andrews, John and husband Ron Welch, eight grandchildren, Peter Gillespie, Shannon Badran, Amiee Hayes, Kelley Gillespie, Alyson Schreiber, Patrick Gillespie, Hannah Andrews, Grace Andrews and six great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 11:00 on Wednesday, June 28 with the Funeral Services following at 1:00 pm. Pastor Mike Malcosky will officiate. Interment will follow at Polk Grove Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, Vandalia from 11:00 a.m. until time of service.