Ernest John Gillard

Ernest John Gillard, 91, of Spruce, passed away Friday, August 10, 2012 at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn. Born December 4, 1920 to Ernest and Velma (Freer) Gillard in Alpena, he was raised in Spruce. Ernest graduated from Alpena High School and then from Alma College in 1941. He served as a Lieutenant in the United States Army during WWII, serving in England and France where he was involved in D-Day plus one. On April 9, 1947, he married Nancy Wauchek in Gobles, MI. They were residents of Midland, where Ernest was employed as a superintendant at Dow Chemical. He retired from Dow after 39 years in 1978. In 1979 he moved to Spruce. He was a member of the Spruce Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his daughter; Gretchen Rudy of Detroit, two sons; Scott (Susan) Gillard of Belfast, Ireland, and Roger (Clara) Gillard of Lincoln Park, , five grandchildren; Dana Marie Rudy, Meilana, Maria, Alan John, and Ernest Peter Gillard, three great grandchildren; Devon Marcella and Clara Gillard, one sister-in-law; Lucille Gillard, and two nieces; Lisa Blanchard and Amy Gillard, and one nephew; Peter Gillard. He was preceded in death by his wife; Nancy on June 29, 2011, and his brother; Donald Gillard. Friends may call on Thursday, August 16, from 12:00 pm until the funeral service at 1:00 pm at the Spruce Presbyterian Church. Rev. Tom Welscott will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Spruce. Memorial donations suggested to the Spruce Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund. Arrangements were made through Gillies Funeral Home, Lincoln. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ernest John Gillard, please visit our flower store.