Harold Gilland

Harold Gilland departed this life on June 22,2018, at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky after a prolonged battle with heart disease. At the time of his passing, he was 87 years, 9 months, and 21 days of age. Born on September 1, 1930, in Lola, Kentucky, to parents Coy Bryant Gilland (Father) and Mary Perlina (Davidson) Gilland (mother). Harold set his education aside at a young age to help shoulder responsibility of assisting in the provision of his family.
Harold married Bonita “Bonnie” Belford on October 25,1954. To this union, Harold and Bonnie were blessed with the birth of three children- Harold gene, Coy, and daughter Mary Lou. Always the provider, Harold worked in the logging industry I and around Livingston County, Kentucky, in the fluorspar mining and milling industry at Alcoa in Hardin County, Illinois, and later, for 22 years retiring from U.S. Steel Works in Gary, Indiana. After his retirement, Harold and Bonnie settled back in Rosiclare, Illinois. Bonnie passed away a victim of cancer on May 14, 1995.
On April 12, 1996, Harold Married Christine (Goins) Carman who was herself a widow having lost her husband (William L. “Puddin” Carman) on August 23, 1995, also a victim of cancer. Christine brought to their union five surviving children- Diane, Carol, Micky, Kevin, and Kelly. The combined families made for large and noisy family get-togethers at Harold and Christine’s home or at the city park.
Harold was preceded in his passing by his parents, two brothers (James and Billy Gilland), and a sister (Rebecca Stallion). He was also preceded in his passing by two step-sons (Ricky and Kent Carman) and a step- great grandson (Braden Sigler).
Survivors of Harold’s passing include his spouse Christine, three sisters (Pat Wiggins, Dorris Dameron, Lois Millikan), two sons (Harold Gene {Judy} Gilland, and Coy {Arlene} Gilland), a daughter (Mary Lou {Daniel} Locke. He also leaves three step-daughters (Diane {Robert} Stone, Carol Carman, and Kelly {Bernie} Cowgill), two step-sons (Micky {Bobby Burke} Carman and Kevin {Cyndi} Carman. Also included as a legacy from his union of marriage with Bonnie are nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. From his union of marriage with Christine, he is also survived by eleven step-grandchildren and seventeen step great grandchildren making the total sum of grandchildren at 20 and great grandchildren at 27combined for a large family indeed. Added and to be included are a significant number of niece, nephews, and many friends that Harold had and enjoyed. He was able to touch a great many lives, and in that, could be counted as a rich man indeed.
Harold enjoyed his retirement with family cook-outs, driving along many backroads in Hardin County, and cruising the streets and city park in Rosiclare on his golf cart. His passions included a good game of corn hole and listening to “old style” country music. Quoted directly from Harold near the end of his life, he summed up everything in one-sentence proclamation, “I had a good life and was married to two good women”. AMEN
Arrangements are being conducted by Hardin County Funeral Service at Cox Chapel with public visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday June 25, 2018 The Funeral, beginning at 1:00 p.m. will be officiated by Rev. Charles Bernie Cowgill. Graveside service and interment is to be at the Fluorine Cemetery in Rosiclare, Illinois.