Harold Gillham, 93, of St. Paul died Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at Heritage Living Center in St. Paul with his family by his side. Harold was born May 24, 1918, at the Fish Creek area east of Scotia to George and Lucretia (Crumrine) Gillham.
Harold was preceded in death by: wife, Gladys and infant son, Robert Eugene Gillham.
Survivors are: son, Jim Gillham of Grand Island; daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Richard Kosmicki of St. Paul; brothers, Joe Gillham of St. Paul and Wayne Gillham of Harrison, AK. grandchildren, Amy and her husband, Kevin, Carrie, Sharon and Darrell; three great-grandchildren; a special friend treated as granddaughter, Jessica DePaul of Kansas City and a host of relatives and friends.
The family lived on a farm between Greeley and Scotia where Harold went to Fish Creek School. They moved to Wolbach in 1931 and Harold graduated from Wolbach High School in 1936. Harold worked for his father on the farm milking cows as well as working for other farmers in the area. He also worked with his father in the filling station in Wolbach. Harold was united in marriage to Gladys L. Jensen on Oct. 6, 1940, at her parents' farm northeast of St. Paul. The couple went to Idaho for one year to do various jobs and moved back to settle down north of St. Paul and farmed on their own.
Harold worked for the ASCS office where he measured fields. Harold and Gladys belonged to a card club and liked to play pinochle and pitch. They also occasionally went to dances. Gladys passed away on Aug. 21, 1986. The couple enjoyed 46 years together. Harold retired from farming and moved into St. Paul. He moved to Matelyn in 2005. In January 2011, Harold moved to Heritage Living Center.
Harold enjoyed mechanical work on tractors and cars. He loved animals, listening to the radio and crossword puzzles. He was very outgoing and knew many people.
Harold was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge, District 21 School Board northwest of St. Paul and Farmer's Union Board. He was also a 4-H Leader.
Harold was also preceded in death by his parents.
Published in The Grand Island Independent on June 17, 2011
Family Members
Parents
George L Gillham
1892–1959
Lucretia Alberta Crumrine Gillham
1900–1959
Spouse
Gladys Jensen Gillham
1918–1986
Siblings
Joseph G. Gillham*
1920–2016
Children
Robert Eugene Gillham*
1945–1945
James Leroy Gillham*
1947–2012
*Calculated Relationship
