Walter "Jerry" Gillespie

Walter "Jerry" Gillespie, 67, owner and operator of Jerry's Alignment and Auto Service, died in the early morning of Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, He was the youngest child born on April 30, 19942, to Joseph Clinton Gillespie and Edith Mae Blackwell Gillespie of rural Moundville, Mo.

Mr. Gillespie was the youngest of 14 siblings, growing up on the family farm. He attending a one-room school house called Lonestar and later attending Hackberry Elementary. His passions included basketball and cars which followed him throughout his life. In 1960 he graduated Bronaugh High School, in Bronaugh., and came to Kansas that summer and met his life-long friend and wife.

On May 25, 1962, he and Jann Aldes Hallagin were married at McDonald Federate Church. The couple reared three daughters and one son.

As a father, he loved spending time with his family. He also served as Sherman County 4-H leader, a model rocketry instructor, and was a founding member of the Goodland Archery Club, in Goodland, Kan. He enjoyed hiking, hunting and fishing. He retired from his business in 2003.

Mr. Gillespie was an entrepreneur who always took pride in doing a job right. He once said that if he had nothing, he could at least give his time.

Preceding him in death were his parents; three infant brothers; three sisters, Gail Gillespie, Dorothy Senkevech, and Garnet Nullenax; father- and mother-in-law, Marion and Marie Hallagin; and five brothers-in-law, Arnold Hallagin, Obie Smith, Frances Nunez, Walter Cassatt and Ed Buchanan.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; son, James C. Gillespie and wife Kimberly, of Goodland, Kan.; three daughters, Johnene S. Cheney, of McDonald, Kan., Janette D. Black and husband Mike, of Arvada, Colo., and Jeanna A. Allen and husband John, of Lee's Summit, Mo.; two brothers, Clinton Harvey Gillespie and Alvin Eugene Gillespie; and five sisters, Edith Buchanan, Anna Cassatt, Twyla Lundry, Christine Nunez, and June Smith.

Mr. Gillespie requested that he be laid to rest with his parents and family in Welborn Cemetery near Moundville. At his request a private service with no memorial service was planned.

Cards and memorials may be sent to Bateman's Funeral Home, 211 E. 11, Goodland, Kan.