Ronald W. Gilliland

Ronald “Ron” Wayne Gilliland passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at his home in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 80. He was born on January 6, 1936 on the farm in Rooks County north of Zurich, Kansas to the late Harold “Ike” and Estella “Stella” (Bane) Gilliland. He graduated high school, went on to attend Fort Hays State College before serving in the United States Army. On December 26, 1958 he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Gaunt in Great Bend, Kansas. They were blessed with three sons, Phil, Todd, and Drew. Ron was owner of Farm Implement & Supply Co., Inc. of Plainville, from which he retired, along with farming, which he took up in his later years. He loved his family, friends, and neighbors and was an avid supporter of the community. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Men, Isis Shrine, Masonic Paradise Lodge #290, and the Lions Club. He was a past member of the Rooks County Health Center Hospital Board which he served on for over 12 years, Boy Scout Leader, and Booster Club. Ron enjoyed sports, especially Kansas University Basketball, Kansas City Chiefs Football, and Kansas City Royals Baseball. He liked being outdoors to enjoy an occasional hunt, was an avid golfer, and of course had his own “special way” of mowing the grass. But the time he cherished the most was spent with his family, most especially his grandchildren; from watching their sporting events, to holidays, or just being together for no special reason at all, his heart was happiest when he was with the ones he loved the most. Ron is survived by his wife Mary Lou Gilliland of the home in Plainville; sons Phil Gilliland and wife Brenda of Concordia, Todd Gilliland and wife Tina of Plainville, and Drew Gilliland and wife Colette of Gold Hill, OR; brother Barry Gilliland and wife Donna of Plainville; sister Carolyn Metcalf and husband Don of Plainville; step-mother Lucy Gilliland of Plainville; grandchildren Ryan Gilliland of Topeka, Eric Gilliland of Concordia, Mallory Gilliland of Lawrence, Harrison Gilliland of Plainville, Rachel Gilliland of Plainville, and Mary Gilliland of Plainville, Ike Gilliland of Gold Hill, OR, Annie Gilliland of Gold Hill, OR, and Andy Brown of Plainville; and great-grandchildren Jack Gilliland, Nolan Gilliland, and Reed Gilliland. He was preceded in death by his parents Ike and Stella Gilliland, daughter-in-law Tammy Gilliland, and great-granddaughter Hattie Jo Gilliland. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, November 28, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Plainville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00 pm on Sunday at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 5:00-7:00 pm. It is said of Masons that they ever meet upon the level, act upon the plumb, and part upon the square. Ron showed by daily example what it means to be a man of integrity and uprightness before God and man, full of love, compassion, and a willingness to help anyone in need. Although he will be greatly missed, we rejoice that he has now become a living stone, in that spiritual house, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.