Wilma Jean Gillespie, of Quinter (formerly a rural Grainfield resident), passed away Friday, June 28, 2013 at Gove County Medical Center, Long Term Care. She was 87 years of age.


Wilma was born November 19, 1925, in rural Gove County on the family farm, the daughter of Lewis William "L.W." and Florence J. (Rogers) Roberts. Wilma was one of 15 children. She was a Gove High School Graduate. On August 28, 1948, Wilma Roberts was united in marriage to Delmar James "Hap" Gillespie in the Brethren Church of Quinter. He preceded her in death on November 15, 1980. They enjoyed 32 years of marriage together. Wilma was a member of the Quinter United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of the Eastern Star, and a member of the Athenian Club. She was proud to have sold "House of Lloyd" products for many years. She loved to host meals and family get-togethers, oftentimes using her great talent as a cook and the produce from her own garden to make those meals. She started the "Meals on Wheels" program and the Senior Citizen Center in Grainfield. She was a very talented and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her grandchildren will fondly remember her hugs and her telling them, "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck."


Wilma will be dearly missed by four sons Jimmie Gillespie of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kirby and wife Donna Gillespie of Quinter, Mitchell and wife Carlene Gillespie, and Michael and wife Theresia Gillespie, of Grainfield; four daughters Brenda and husband Michael Traugott of Wichita, Gladys and husband Keith Billinger of Victoria, Connie and husband Allan Weber of Quinter, and Sharon and husband Joel Beougher of Hays; twenty four grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings Lyle, Fern, Edith, Emma, Dale, Lola, Carlos, Delmar, Velda, Anna, Elpha, Lewis, Cecil, and Theo; and a grandson Stephen Tracy Gillespie.


Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 1, 2013, at the United Methodist Church in Quinter with Pastor Larry Danforth officiating. Burial will be in Grainfield City Cemetery, Grainfield.


Visitation will be Sunday, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home of Quinter. Family will be present to greet friends.


Memorial contributions are suggested to the Quinter Ambulance Service or the Grainfield Opera House and may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.


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