03/02/2018

Obituary for Robert L. Gillman

Retired Funeral Director, Former Owner of Auble-Gillman Funeral Home and Father of Kelly Gillman Thomas, Auble-Gillman Funeral Home

RITTMAN -- Robert L. Gillman, age 75, of Rittman, died Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at Wooster Community Hospital, following a period of declining health.

Bob was born on March 30, 1942, in Wadsworth, to the late Karl L. and Bessie M. (Dempsey) Gillman.  He graduated from Rittman High School in 1960, attended Kent State University for 2 years, and then received a Degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He married Alice Ramsier on December 4, 1965, in Wadsworth.  Bob served as a Private in the United States Army Reserve during the Vietnam War.

He was owner and operator of Gillman Funeral Home in Rittman for over 50 years.  Upon completion of college and obtaining their degrees from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Bob, and his brother, Dick, assumed ownership and operation of the funeral home. In 1974 the new Gillman Funeral Home was constructed at its present location on Sunset Drive. After Dick's retirement, Bob operated the funeral home with his daughter, Kelly, until retiring in 2014.  Even in retirement, Bob continued to be active with the funeral home for the last 4 years.

Bob was a lifetime member of the Milton Presbyterian Church in Rittman; a Past President and an over 50 year member of the Rittman Lions Club; a Board member of the former Rittman Community Fund; and a member of the Ohio Embalmers Association.  He was also a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association where he received an award in 2014 for 50 years of service as a funeral director in Rittman.  He loved serving the Rittman community including many years with the Rittman Volunteer Fire Department.  He also ran Gillman Ambulance which served the Rittman area as the only ambulance service prior to the creation of Rittman EMS.  He enjoyed travel with his wife, Alice.  He also could be found visiting with friends at the Rittman Recreation Center.  His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who were often found “helping” him at the funeral home.

Surviving are his wife, Alice Ramsier Gillman; two daughters, Lori (Michael) Williams of Rittman, and Kelly Thomas of Rittman; son-in-law, Andy Thomas of Ashland; three grandchildren, Taylor Thomas, Jacob Williams, and Kaitlyn Thomas, all of Rittman; brother, Richard (Dorothy) Gillman of Rittman; sister, Jayne (Rob) Rupe of Butler; two brothers-in-law, John (Mary) Ramsier of Kent, and Randy (Beth) Sandifer of New Windsor, MD; eleven nieces and nephews, Joan (Steve) Gates, Jenni (Mike) Patterson, Andrea (Glenn) Jackson, Jason (Lesa) Halliwell, Bryan (Robin) Halliwell, Nick Halliwell, Ben (Angie) Ramsier, Laura (Nick) Haithcock, Ashley (Kevin) Gillis, Matthew (Annette) Staehle, and Launa (Mark White) Staehle. .

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by parents-in-law, Ben and Laura Ramsier; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan and Bob Staehle.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Auble-Gillman Funeral Home, 360 W. Sunset Dr., Rittman, with Pastors Travis McKenzie, Alex Barnes, and Bub Olszewski officiating. Burial will take place at Rittman Cemetery in Rittman where military rites will be observed.

Friends may call on Monday at the funeral home, from 1 to 3 pm and 5 to 7 pm.

Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at the funeral home's web site at www.gillmanfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rittman Recreation Center Board of Directors, 200 Saurer Drive, Rittman, OH, 44270.