Harvey F. Gillespie's Obituary
Harvey F. Gillespie, age 68, of Coulterville, IL, passed away on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 6:25 a.m. in Bria Health Service, Bellville, IL.
Harvey was born on June 8, 1952 in Redbud, IL, a son to Harvey Brian and Iva Frances (Williams) Gillespie. On September 5, 1998, he married Genevieve Gaverza at the Kaskaskia Park in Chester, IL overlooking the Mississippi river, and she survives him. He had worked as a coal miner for 32 years and spent 27 of them at the Ziegler mine in Coulterville, IL. Harvey was a member of the Sheppard's Chapel and the United Mine Workers of America. He was a Star Trek enthusiast. He loved welding and learning about WWII. He could be found in the local V.F.W. socializing and discussing facts about WWII. His passion was learning about history through talking to people, watching documentaries, and reading about it. He never met a stranger and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Genevieve Gillespie of Coulterville, IL; a son, Andrew Gillespie of Coulterville, IL; one sister, Lela (Randy) Neisler of Pensacola, FL; one half sister, Dorothy Douglas of Sparta, IL; five nieces, Rose Douglas, Maggie Neisler of Pensacola, FL, Rona Douglas of Marissa, IL, Tammy (Chris) Krause and Donna Wilkerson of Marissa, IL; four nephews, Nick Neisler, Nathan Neisler, Neal Neisler and Adam Neisler of Pensacola, FL; eight seven great nieces and nephews, Ryan and Sherri Douglas, Karen Baker, Jeffery Gimber, Jamie Hamon, Whitney Schoenbeck, Emily Wilkerson, and Kathy Patterson; half sister-in-law, Maryann Schenke.
He was preceded in death by his parents; half-brother in law, Jim Douglas Sr.; two nephews, Jim Douglas Jr. and Paul Douglas; and great nephew, Jim Douglas III.
Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Coulterville, IL on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Andrew Gillespie, the son, will be officiating the service. Interment will be in Coulterville City Cemetery, Coulterville, IL.
Visitation will be at Pyatt Funeral Home, Coulterville, IL on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
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