Obituary of Leonard Gilman

Leonard J. Gilman, 85, peacefully died Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Ministry Saint Joseph?s Hospital in Marshfield. Services will be at 12:00 pm on Friday, December 7th at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home. Leonard was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 29, 1927 to Chester and Magdeline (Slowinski) Gilman. He married Grace Randecker on June 18, 1949 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Nekoosa. Leonard graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1944. He entered the U.S. Army in June 23, 1945, serving as a sergeant in the infantry until November 1946. He was employed by Gross Brothers Trucking from 1947-52 and C.W. Trucking from 1952-79. Leonard also was the owner/operator of Moore Barn Bar for a short time and Gilman?s Indian Hills Egg Ranch from 1969-93, now Gilman?s Storage. Leonard was a former charter member of the Grand Rapids Lions Club. He and Grace built a cabin on Willow Lake in Tripoli, WI in 1958, where they spent many enjoyable weekends fishing and hunting. Leonard dearly loved his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his German shepherd dogs. He also enjoyed watching the birds. Survivors include his wife, Grace; three sons: Dan (Rita), Tim and David (Julie) Gilman; one sister: Beatrice Stranen. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Chester and sister, Kay Bergman. The family would like to thank the staff of CCU and the chaplains at Ministry Saint Joseph Hospital for their exceptional care and concern for Leonard.