On May 14, 1928, Marion was born to Otto and Sylvia (Frampton) Gilliland in Hastings, Nebraska. Marion was the third oldest of six children and grew up on a farm.
He served three years in the United States Marine Corps and received an Electronics Technology Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Electronics on October 28, 1971. Marion was married to his wife, Anna Marie Tomes, of 70 years on September 21, 1951. They were blessed with three children, Terri Lynn, Karen Kay, and Donald Lee.
Marion enjoyed working for Solar Aircraft as an Area Inspector and this time at Principal Financial as a First Class Engineer. He enjoyed anything to do with electronics and had a small shop in his basement to tinker. He loved to ride his motorcycle for most of his adult life.
Marion is survived by his daughters Terri (Alan) Brache and Karen Young; son Donald (Tracie) Gilliland; grandchildren, Morgan Olsem, Michelle Vacco Huber, Alexandra Young Lancaster, Nichole Gilge, Crystal Feldman, Joe Gilliland, Adam Gilliland, and Steven Gilliland; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters Dolores (Gerald) Oglesbee, Darlene (Larry) McKinney, and Anna Marie (Ramon) Martin; brother Edward (Mary) Gilliland; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Marion was preceded in death by his wife, Anna, parents, sister Audrey (Bob and Bob) Smith Wilder, and his grandson Ben Olsem.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, March 22, at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Monday, March 21, 2022, at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel in West Des Moines. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.
