John R. Gillam, age 92 of Elwood, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Miller's Merry Manor in Tipton following a brief illness.  He was born February 5, 1925 in Elwood, the son of Ora D. and Martha Florence (McQuitty) Gillam.  John worked as a mechanic and trouble shooter for John Deere for 22½ years and later worked at Ex-Cello Corporation in Elwood for over 20 years before retiring in 1988.  He also worked an additional 8 years at J. Lewis Small in Elwood and at Red Gold for a short time and finally retired again in 1999.  He was a 1943 graduate of Frankton High School.  John married the love of his life, Mable Frances Davis, on February 17, 1946, and they shared over 70 years of marriage together.  John was a member of the Central Wesleyan Church in Elwood and formerly a member of the Zion Chapel Church in Elwood where he served as a Sunday school teacher and church bus driver.  He and Frances enjoyed camping, and were active members of the Hoosier Heartlanders Camping Club for many years.  He enjoyed all types of tractors, but especially loved John Deere tractors, and was well-known for his knowledge and abilities of 2-cycle John Deere motors and tractors.  He was known to drive his tractors in area parades for many years.  John also enjoyed caring for miniature horses and small livestock.  He and his family took annual trips to Washington D.C. that will never be forgotten.  Above all, he truly enjoyed spending time with his family who loved him very much.  John's family would like to thank all the caregivers at Tipton Hospital, Heartland Hospice, and Miller's Merry Manor for the exceptional care that was given to John in the past few weeks.

John's family includes son, Robert Eugene (wife Tricia) Gillam of Tipton; daughter, Virginia "Kay" (husband Mike) Landseadel of Tipton; 2 brothers, William "Ralph" Gillam of Elwood and Danny Lee Gillam of Elwood; 8 grandchildren, Tammy Landseadel, Michelle (husband Robert) Kincade, Greg Kyle, Kris Betzold, Megan (husband Rod) Draper, Miranda (husband Leonard) Beeman, Mallory Gillam, and Jonathan Gillam; 14 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special family friend, Jim "Cookie" Cook of Elwood.

John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mable Frances (Davis) Gillam in 2016; daughter, Roberta Louise Kyle; 2 brothers, Milton Dale Gillam and Donald Eugene Gillam; and 4 sisters-in-law, Carolyn Gillam, Bernice Gillam, Eunice Gillam, and Leah Gillam.

A funeral service celebrating John's life will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Laureen Hartig of Hobbs Christian Church and Pastor Ben Capshaw of Central Wesleyan Church officiating.  Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 7 PM on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be given to the Central Wesleyan Church through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence may be made at copherfeslermay.com.