Lynden Lyle Franklin Gilliland Feburary 16, 1934-October 29, 2010
Lynden Lyle Franklin Gilliland was born February 16, 1934 at the family farm in Riley township in southern Ringgold county, Iowa to David Franklin and Inez Waers Gilliland. His oldest sister, Ruby, was already married and had a son. His sister, Ruth, had also already left home and was a school teacher.
Lyle grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Mount Ayr high school in 1952. On May 26, 1954, he married Jean Brand.
Lyle and Jean had four children, Barbara Jean, Carol Anne, Michael Lyle and Steven Duane. Lyle farmed with his dad. After the death of Lyle’s father in 1965, Lyle, Jean and the children moved to the family farm.
It was an honor for Lyle to continue the family farm with the next generation working with Mike. It was during this time that the farm became a century farm — it had been in the Gilliland family for over 100 years. Lyle and Jean worked side by side at the farm until they sold it and moved to Mount Ayr in 2004.
Lyle served on the REC board of directors and was a trustee of Riley township for many years.
Lyle’s faith was an important part of his life. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in 1954. He and Jean were instrumental in starting the Mount Ayr Regular Baptist Church. Lyle served as a Sunday school teacher and a deacon for many years.
Lyle was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2004 but was able to stay in his home with Jean’s faithful loving care until July 2010 when he fell and broke his hip. He then moved to Mount Ayr Health Care where he roomed with his brother-in-law, Earl Brand.
Lyle passed from here to heaven Friday morning, October 29, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Jean; daughter, Barbara Reynolds and husband Dennis of Nevada, Iowa; daughter, Carol Anne Galloway and husband Bob of Kellerton, Iowa; son Mike Gilliland and wife Debbie of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and son, Steve Gilliland and wife Debbie of Huxley, Iowa; grandsons, James, Jason and Joshua Reynolds and Matthew, Mitchell and Brett Gilliland; granddaughters, Jennifer Gustafson, Sarah Newton, Laura Kisarets, Maggie Cox, Kimberly Brumm and Karin Gilliland; 19 great-grandchildren (all age nine and under); three nephews, Dennis, Earl and Marvin Swigart, and many friends.
Memorials are to the Regular Baptist Church in Mount Ayr. Arrangements were by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr.
Services were held at the Regular Baptist Church in Mount Ayr on Monday, November 1, 2010, with Rev. Dennis Reynolds, Rev. Charles Hawkins and Rev. James Maxwell officiating. Musicians included Vera Stalcup and Kristy Gilliland.
Casket bearers were James Reynolds, Jason Reynolds, Joshua Reynolds, Matthew Gilliland, Mitchell Gilliland, Brett Gilliland, Dave Gustafson, Jeremy Newton, Vova Kisarets, Daniel Cox and Eric Brumm.
Lyle was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.
