Ralph Joseph Gilmore

Born January 6, 1945 in Illinois the son of Ralph Earl Gilmore and Florence Arlene (Glendening) Rossetti. He married Nancy (Swinger) Gilmore on March 29, 1964 in Galesburg, IL., she preceded him in death on December 22, 2015.

He served in the United States Navy from January 1963-February 1965.

Joe was a welder at Bixby-Zimmer/U.S. Filter in Galesburg, Illinois. He had also worked at the Lake Storey Campground in Galesburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Nancy; sister Sherry Welch; and brother-in-law Waymon Edgington.

Joe is survived by his daughters Lisa (husband Doug) Wilhelm, Jolene (husband Pastor Donnie) Watson, and Annette (husband Dirk) Hardyman; sister Diana Edgington; brother Gary (wife Nancy) Gilmore; grandchildren Hannah Wilhelm, Brandon (wife Jessica) Watson, Kyle (wife Nicole) Watson, Amanda (husband Joe) Downing, Andrew (wife Taylor) Tracy and Caleb Hardyman; great grandchildren Jaxon & Emma Watson, Brylynn & Gavin Watson, Ryleigh & Ezekiel Downing, and Tatum, Kolsyn; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 o'clock on February 28, 2026 at New Hope Fellowship Church 2450 N. US Hwy 231 Greencastle.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until time of services at the church.

An additional service will be held in Galesburg, Illinois at a later date.