Ronald “Pops” Charles Gilliland Sr.

January 18, 2017 Last Updated: January 18, 2017 12:00 AM Death Notice

Ronald “Pops” Charles Gilliland Sr., 76, passed away peacefully the morning of Dec. 4 surrounded by his family, after an extended illness.

He was born Sept. 24, 1940, at Butler Hospital. Ron attended school and worked on the farm throughout his youth in rural Penn Township. He married the love of his life, Barbara M. Parker, on Sept. 30, 1961.

Ron worked for Spang/Heckett/Harsco for 39 years until his retirement. It was there that he gained all his stories of “working in the mill” and running endless amounts of heavy equipment like clockwork. He never missed a single days work, nor did he slow down after his official retirement in 2004.

Ron’s greatest love, aside from his family, was spending time out in the woods or on The Farm up in his fancy “Tree Cabin.” This was his happy place, his getaway. We will always remember Pops hauling back his trophies on his quad with such pride and the biggest smile across his face.

Pops’s greatest gift was his sense of selflessness. He was a giver, right up to his last moments.

Ron was also the ultimate handyman. If it was broken, he could fix it — If he could find the right tool somewhere in his garage. Ron taught his family countless tricks of the trades, skills that are now treasures to be passed down.

Pops also had the gift of conversation. He could and would strike up a conversation with anyone he met and find something to talk about. Perhaps that gift is what will allow everyone he met to have a story to remember him by.

Ron was the cornerstone of his family. While he leaves a great void, he has also left behind his legacy, cherished memories and treasured stories for those left behind to hold onto.

Pops was and always will be deeply loved and missed by his family and friends.

Ron leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara Parker Gilliland; three children, Elaine (Carl) Jaegers, Ronald Gilliland Jr. and Mary Fleeger; three grandchildren, Tiffany (Andy) Lunsford, Ronald Gilliland III and Amber (Jason) Haynes; and his great-grandson, Logan Haynes. He also leaves behind his two loving dogs, Lady and Sassy.

GILLILAND — A memorial service for Ronald “Pops” Gilliland Sr., who died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, will be conducted this spring at the Brownsdale Cemetery in Butler. A time and date will be announced later.