James S. "Jack" Gilland

James S. “Jack” Gilland, 98, of Connersville, passed away Saturday morning, March 10, 2018, at Caroleton Manor Nursing Home where he had resided since April 2016. Jack was born in Dayton, Ohio, January 28, 1920, the only child of Stewart Henry and Reva Alverda Brown Gilland and moved to Connersville at an early age to live with his grandmother, Minnie Newell. He was a 1938 graduate of Connersville High School and married the former Beulah Christine Blaase at her home on April 12, 1941. As a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, Jack attained the rank of Sergeant while stationed with the Headquarters Service Group in Tokyo, Japan. His military decorations included the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal Japan. He was proud of his military service and often attended local veterans celebrations dressed in his uniform. Jack was a member of Calvary Baptist Church from 1943 to 1973 where he was the first Sunday School Superintendent, served as a deacon and trustee, and sang in the choir and quartets. Jack was a charter member of the Connersville Baptist Temple. His deep, resonating, bass voice was an integral part of the Evangelairs Quartet for over twenty-five years. Jack was also a member of Gideons International, the American Legion, AMVETS, Warren Lodge #15, F.&A.M. where he had served as chaplain and had served as Connersville Township Trustee. After working for fourteen years at American Kitchens, he was the manager of Sears catalog stores in Mt. Pleasant and Coldwater, Michigan and Richmond, Indiana. He continued his employment in sales and insurance with Metropolitan Life Insurance, Hopkins Insurance Agency and Spartan Realty. In 1988, Jack began working at Showalter Blackwell Funeral Home as a prearrangement counselor and later as a greeter for twenty years until his retirement due to ill health. Jack is survived by his daughter: Sheila Fiscus of Columbus; grandchildren: Brad Hillman of Muncie, Bethany Peetz of Columbus; great-granddaughters: Kara and Kailey Peetz of Columbus; brothers-in-law: Oliver Allen and Robert Blaase; nephews: Jack Allen and Chris Blaase; niece: Nancy Allen Clifford and her husband, Jerry; cousins and their spouses: Bernard Brown, Doug Brown and Sandy, Dianne Reynolds and Robert, Sally Apple and Gary; several great-nieces and great nephews. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years who passed away April 24, 2016, his grandmother, an uncle: Delmor Brown; and his sisters-in-law: Donna Blaase and Mary Allen. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, March 16, 2018, at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville, with Pastor Kim McHale of Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in section D at Dale Cemetery with military honors by the Fayette County Veterans Council. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. In honor of Jack’s involvement and love of animals, memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International or to the Fayette County Humane Society. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.