William M. Gillespie, 97, Akron (Rock Lake), and formerly of Silver Lake, died at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 10, 2013, at his residence. He was born Jan. 16, 1916, in Van Wert, Ohio, to Joshua M. and Mary May Sherburn Gillespie. On Nov. 20, 1938, he married Selena L. Rhodes, who preceded him in death Sept. 14, 2001. He graduated in 1935 from Silver Lake High School. He owned and operated Standard Oil Gas Station, Silver Lake, and later was a mechanic at Kerlin Motor Co., Silver Lake, for 30 years. He was a member of West Eel River Church of the Brethren, Silver Lake. Survivors include a daughter, Billie (and spouse Joe) Risner, Akron (Rock Lake); three grandchildren: Ginger Dwyer, Florida; Nicole (and spouse Albert) Gutierrez, Akron, (Rock Lake); and Stacey (and spouse Chris) Hoxie, Silver Lake; and seven great-grandchildren: Heather and Sara Dwyer, Emma and Bella Gutierrez, and Dylon, Elizabeth and Gavin Hoxie. He was preceded in death by a son, Jay Gillespie, who died in 2010. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at McKee Mortuary, 1401 Ind. 114W, North Manchester, with Pastor Ed French officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake. Calling is from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials to Gentiva Hospice, 1476 W. 18th St., Rochester, IN 46975-7939.
