Marion Frances Gilland

Marion Frances Gilland was born on September 2, 1928 in Bevier, KY. She passed away this past Wednesday afternoon at 3:19 PM at St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, IN, surrounded by her children Mike and Becky, son-in-law Tim Gerbig, her pastor, and friends. Marion grew up in Bevier, a small coal mining town in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, before moving with her family to Evansville in the late 1940s. She worked in a variety of jobs before landing upon her true love of sewing, and she being a professional seamstress. There was nothing she couldn’t create, and her skills and creativity opened the way for her to become the first female foreman at Flexsteel Furniture. During her years in the furniture making business, she actually was the upholsterer for a chair that had been commissioned for President Lyndon Johnson. She lovingly made clothes for her own use and for her children, and made countless pillows for fun and profit. Marion married James G. Gilland on September 9, 1950, and went on to give birth to two children, Mike (Cindy), and Becky (Tim Gerbig). Marion had a beautiful alto voice, and loved to sing hymns and harmonize. She had become a Christian early on, and continued in her passion for Jesus with a great love for the church. Marion was known for several things, including a keen sense of humor, a quick wit, and a smile that would light up the room. In spite of years of health issues that brought much pain to her body, she drew very little attention to them – instead projecting a great love for life. She adored her children and all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed visiting her son and family members in Florida, where she often went for extended visits. She lived with her daughter Becky and son-in-law Tim Gerbig, and together, they were active in their church. She often traveled with the Southlanders Quartet, of which Tim is a member. She was loved by all who knew her. Marion was preceded in death by her husband, James G. Gilland, her parents, Alford and Eva West, her sisters Marcella (Claren Jones) and Corinne (Luther Nanny), and brothers Lee (whose wife is Emarie is with us today), and Dean. She enjoyed her 5 grandchildren, Stephanie Gilland Jessee (Chris), David Gilland (Beth), Angela Gilland Spegal (Zac), and Allison Gilland Myers (Jason), and Matthew Martin (Crystal), and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 PM on Monday, May 9th, 2022 at Free Pentecostal Church, 3201 Fickas Road in Evansville. Marion’s son Mike will be the officiant for the funeral, and her grandson David Gilland will officiate the graveside service, which will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. A time of viewing and visitation will begin Monday at 10 AM at the church, just prior to the funeral service. Memorial contributions are requested to be directed to Free Pentecostal Church’s building fund.