LEORA F. GILLARD

Born Dec. 15, 1926 to Ernest and Matilda (McGregor) Basselman in Bay City, she was raised in Barton City. A 1945 graduate of Harrisville High School, Leora enlisted in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, becoming a registered nurse. On Nov. 20, 1948, she married William B. Gillard in Detroit. Residents of Detroit, they moved to Lincoln in 1950 where they owned and operated Wilhite Insurance Agency. Leora was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Barton City, where she was former treasurer and active in the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed quilting, traveling, bowling, golfing, and attending local sporting events.

She is survived by two daughters, Karen Gillard, of Rising Sun, Indiana, and Patricia (Mark) MacNeill, of Barton City, three grandchildren, Yance, Chelsey, and Kaitlin MacNeill, her sister-in-law, Arden Basselman, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Leora was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, on Jan. 10, 1994, her sister, Ruth Gillies, her brother, James Basselman, her sister-in-law, Jean Williams, and her brother-in-law, Dick Gillies.

Mrs. Gillard is at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln, where friends may call on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 from noon until the service at 3 p.m. Rev. Christina Bright will officiate. Burial will be in Twin Lakes Cemetery in the spring. Memorial donations are suggested to the charity of your choice.