Wayne K. Gillen
April 12, 1932 — January 12, 2008
Wayne K. Gillen, 75, died Saturday, January 12, 2008 at Community Hospital in McCook.
On April 12, 1932 he was born in McCook to Lawrence and Elsie (Shuck) Gillen. He attended McCook Public Schools and earned his GED in 1972.
He served in the U.S. Air Force and the National Guard for 35 years from 1950-1985 and retired as a First Sergeant from Company A 1/195th Armor of McCook.
He married Arlene F. Smith in McCook on August 22, 1954 and they had four children.
Wayne especially enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s activities. He liked going to auctions, playing cards and his “office breakfast friends”. He farmed and loved the outdoors and was a devoted husband and father.
Preceding him in death were: his parents; two brothers, Donald and Dale; one grandson, Breck; and special aunt & uncle, Fred and Bonnie Johnson.
Survivors include: his wife Arlene of McCook; children and spouses, Judy Gillen of Omaha, Lance & Denise Gillen, Brad and Wendy Gillen, Kelli & Travis Zwickle all of McCook; and eight grandchildren, Spencer, Kelsey, Zayne, Kassidy, Easton, Jenna, Jett, and Brooklynn; brother-in-law, Donald Smith and wife, Karen of Colo. and special family friend, Linda Lu Lloyd of Omaha.
Memorials were being accepted in his name.
Memorial services were Wednesday, January 16th at 11:00 at McCook Christian Church with Pastor Clark Bates and Jerry Beckenhauer officiating. Inurnment took place in Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook.
Carpenter Breland Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.