John Gillard

Hertz Funeral Home of Glenwood is in charge of arrangements. Visitation is one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M.

John Gillard, the second oldest of ten children of John and Mary Anna (Weininger) Gillard, was born near Elk City, Oklahoma on August 14, 1909. The family soon moved to Brownville, Nebraska in 1923 where their father farmed. John graduated from Brownville High School in 1931 and entered the local Civilian Conservation Corps. Following America's entrance into World War II, John enlisted in the United States Army at Ft. Crook, Nebraska on September 17, 1942. John was trained as a heavy truck operator and served in a supply division serving the front line combat troops in Europe. On November 12, 1945, John was honorably discharged from the Army at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He returned to the family farm near Brownville. The Gillard family soon purchased a farm northeast of Glenwood, Iowa where John was able to continue his love of farming. His interest in tinkering with machinery and repairing equipment soon led him to a 32 year career with Wright & Wilhelmy Wholesale Hardware Distributors in Omaha, Nebraska. John was eventually promoted to a department manager.
John died at Glen Haven Home in Glenwood on December 22, 2003 having attained the age of 94 years, 4 months, and 8 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Lois Gillard, Mary Gillard and Ruth Gillard; brothers Lowell Gillard, Marion Gillard, and Edward Gillard. John is survived by his brothers Archie Gillard and Ben Gillard all of Glenwood.