David Russell Gilliland

He was born on October 1, 1944, in Sikeston, MO to the late Aubrey and Elsie Sneed Gilliland.

On August 21, 1981, in Sikeston, MO he married Mary Ellen Crews Gilliland who preceded him in death in August of 2020.

David lived a life full of adventure. He loved traveling the world, having a good time, and making people laugh. To this day, more than 50 years later, he is still remembered as “Batman”. In 1965, he started the dance club Batman A-Go-Go at the American Legion Hall in Sikeston, MO. At the Go-Go, thousands of young people gathered to hang out, listen to a variety of bands, and dance the night away. Eventually, two other locations were opened in Cape Girardeau, MO and Paducah, KY.

David retired from St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN as a painter after having worked at several hospitals in the area. His favorite hobby was repairing lawn mowers which helped fund his travels.

He is survived by one son, John (Erica) Gilliland of Arlington, TN; two daughters, Mendy (Rob) Russell of Blodgett, MO and Brandi Ray of Arlington, TN; one sister, Carolyn Holmes of Sikeston, MO; nine grandchildren, David Gilliland III, Tyler Gilliland, Kristian Spencer, Chase Payne, Robert Russell, Luke Russell, Austin Gilliland, Ethan Gilliland and Wesley Ray; five great grandchildren and one great grandson on the way. Other survivors include Diane Gates-Sindle, his final caregiver.

In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by one son, David Russell Gilliland II and one brother, Jerry Gilliland.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, from 12 noon until time of funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, MO with Todd Crumley, Pastor of Heartland Harvest Church in Sikeston, MO, officiating.

A private family burial will be held in the Blodgett Cemetery in Blodgett, MO.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com for the Gilliland family.