Funeral services for 90-year-old Donald “Don” Gilman of Chadron, NE, are Thurs, April 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Chadron.
Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Chadron.
Visitation will be Wed, April 13, from 5-to-7:00 pm at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron.
A memorial has been established for the First Baptist Church of Chadron and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Donald Gordon Gilman was born December 17th, 1931, in Mexico, MO, to Norma Emma Hebrank and Gordon Webb Gilman along with his brother, Dale Gilman. He died peacefully at home with family by his side on April 8th, 2022.
Upon completion of High School, Don joined the Air Force to serve in the Korean War. He was assigned to a Radar Installation in Japan and discharged in March of 1955. He then attended college and received a degree in Business Management.
Don married Cynthia Anne Coatsworth on December 21st, 1958, and they had two children, Lisa Kathryn Gilman and Scott Christopher Gilman.
Don’s career was with the U-S Forest Service. He started as a Forest Ranger in Beulah, CO, and ended in Administration in Chadron. He took early retirement at 52 and went on to earn his Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling.
Don and Cynthia enjoyed traveling, playing bridge together, spending a lot of time with their grandchildren, and serving the Lord before Cynthia passed away in 2005.
Don then met Loretta Brittain and they married on June 5th, 2010. He and Loretta enjoyed traveling and going to Branson, MO and visiting Grandkids.
Don’s passion was serving the Lord and he had 22 years of volunteer service with the RSVP program. He was at different times in his life, an amateur magician, an avid wood worker, and a great athlete in many sports.
Don is survived by his wife, Loretta, Daughter, Lisa, Son, Scott and daughter-in-law Deborah, Grandchildren, Christopher Gilman, Lindsey Gilman, Shawn French, Jaimie Gilman and Kelsey Gilman and Great Grandchildren, Jackson Gilman and Vincent French.
Pall bearers are Chris Gilman, Shawn French, Rocky Lemmon and Lindsey Gilman.
Special thank you to Janet and Rocky Lemmon for their help and care with Don. Thank you also to the Home Health and Hospice for all of their care and love.
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Don Gilman.
So sorry for your loss Loretta, Lisa ,Chris and rest of family. I remember he always had a smile on his face when I would see him at our church in Tulsa.
Pray GOD will give each of you peace & comfort.
Scott, Lisa, Family and all that loved Don. We are joining you in the celebration of your Dad’s life. Our life adventures that linked us in Pueblo, Custer and Chadron and the memories of family, faith, Forest Service and fun, will be treasured always.
Dale and Megan