Pastor Roger K. Gillming, 73, of Kimball, died on September 7, 2025. Cremation has been held and memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Kimball with Pastor Lorri Kentner officiating. Friends may stop at the funeral home on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. to sign the register book and leave condolences for the family. Friends may also visit www.cantrellfh.com to share stories and condolences with the family. Memorials may be given in his memory to Calvary United Methodist Church in Bushnell or Operation Christmas Child. The services for Roger have been entrusted to Cantrell Funeral Home.
Roger Kent Gillming, born on January 27, 1952, in Kearney, Nebraska, to Marvin and Bonnie (Plunkett) Gillming, he was raised in Kearney and graduated from Kearney High School in 1970 and went on to study accounting at Kearney State College, Roger changed his field of study and graduated with a teaching degree in Sociology. Pastor Roger questioned what he was going to do with his degree, and in 1974, his ministry journey began. Roger married Lucinda Jantz and they made their way to Kansas City, where Roger graduated from St. Paul’s School of Theology and was ordained in 1979. In 2002 Lucinda preceded him in death.
Roger’s first church assignment was at the First United Methodist Church in Kearney, and he served as a pastor in various states, including Colorado and Nebraska, in communities such as Republican City, Fairbury, Elwood, Burwell, Taylor, Kimball, Bushnell, and Callaway. In 2004 Roger was married to Schatzie Klusmeier in 2004, and she preceded him in death in 2020. He retired from ministry in June 2022.
Roger was actively involved in community service, including Operation Christmas Child, and was a dedicated member of the Bushnell Lion’s Club and the Elwood Fire Department, where he also served as chief. His family, especially his grandchildren, were his greatest joy. He had a passion for trains and loved taking train trips with his children and their families. Roger will be remembered for his kindness, dedication, and love for his church, family and community.
Survivors include his father, Marvin Gillming of Kearney, NE, children Josh (Jennifer) Gillming of Bushnell, NE., and Jessica (Conor) Cooper of Fremont, NE., and 5 stepchildren; brothers Jerry Gillming of Kearney, NE., and Jim (Jo) Gillming of Elm Creek, NE., Tom (Angie) Gillming of Gibbon, NE., and Curt (Delilah) Gillming of Kearney, NE; sisters Kasie (Garth) Oliver of Georgetown, TX., and Linda (Rick) Allum of Kearney, NE; grandchildren Aaron and Kip Gillming and Carson and Cydnee Cooper and many step grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, both wives, sister-in-law Connie Gillming and niece Becky Veeder.
