Alfred Dean Gilliland

Alfred Dean Gilliland, the son of Lois Dean and Irene Arbogast Gilliland, was born Feb. 21, 1937, in Fort Scott, Kan., and passed away on March 14, 2005, at his residence at 68 years of age. Mr. Gilliland graduated from Nevada High School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959. He was the father of two daughters, Tina and Teresa, in a previous marriage. He worked at 3M as an electrical/maintenance manager for 26 years. Al was united in marriage to Dolly Ratliff on Dec. 3, 1994.

He was a Mason at the Sarcoxie Lodge and a member of the First Christian Church in Nevada. Al was proud to serve as a volunteer Deputy Sheriff at the Vernon County Sheriff's Department.

Al is survived by his wife, Dolly, of the home; two daughters, Teresa Ann Ince, of St. Charles, Mo., and Tina Lynne Gilliland, of Ellenton, Fla.; four stepchildren, Kenneth Wright, of Perry, Kan., Neil Wright, of Lawrence, Kan., Bruce Wright, of Lawrence, Kan.; and Laura Parker, of Lawrence, Kan.; 12 step grandchildren; and eight step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 18, at Evergreen Memorial Chapel with Pastor Bill Platt officiating. Burial will follow in the Deerfield Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vernon County Sheriff's Department or The American Cancer Society in care of Evergreen Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 894, Nevada, MO 64772.