Craig Philip Gillson, age 70 of Elwood, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood.  He was born January 7, 1948, in St. Johns, Michigan, the son of Walter A. and Mary Ellen (Brecken) Gillson.  He was a 1967 graduate of Wendell Willkie High School in Elwood and later attended Indiana University Kokomo where he became a Cardio-Pulmonary Technician.  He worked as a Cardio-Pulmonary Technician at Tipton Community Hospital for 13 years and retired in 1987.  Craig married the love of his life, Penny J. Mercer, on October 12, 1968, and they shared 50 years of marriage.  He proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman and later served in the Naval Reserve.  Craig was baptized at East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood, and later attended the Charity Inn Church for many years.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Alexandria and later the Frankton Lodge, the Order of Eastern Star in Alexandria and later the Daleville Chapter, and a former member of Chapter and Council; the Commandry; and the Elwood Elks Lodge #368.  Craig was a recipient of a heart transplant on August 17, 1998, and was blessed with 20 additional years of quality life.  He enjoyed riding motorcycles, flying ultra-lite airplanes, watching old westerns, talking about cars, singing, and playing guitar.  He especially liked drinking coffee at Jim Dandy Restaurant and sharing stories with his friends.  More than anything, Craig enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, and he had a very loving relationship with the Lord.

Craig's family includes his wife of 50 years, Penny J. Gillson of Elwood; 2 daughters, Dottie Gillson of Palm Desert, CA, and Natalie (husband Adam) Paxson of Elwood; sister, Sheri (husband Nolan) Jenson of Blue Ridge, GA; sister-in-law, Joan Mercer of Elwood; brother-in-law, Louis (wife Judy) Mercer of Alexandria; 2 grandchildren, Addison Rogers and Gabriel Rogers; and special friends, Stan Alvey of Elwood and Robert Franks of Goldsboro, NC.  Craig was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service celebrating Craig's life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Stan Alvey officiating.  Burial will follow in Elwood City Cemetery, and will include military honors by the U.S. Navy and Elwood V.F.W. honor guard.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood.  A Masonic Memorial Service will be conducted at 7:00 pm at the conclusion of visitation on Tuesday evening at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association or the Indiana Donor Network through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence may be made at copherfeslermay.com.