Theodore J. Gillham 1929-2006

JANSEN, GILLHAM

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 6/13/2006 at 16:04:34

Theodore J. “Ted” Gillham, 77, of Hills, Iowa lost his battle with lung cancer on Tuesday June 13, 2006 in his home, surrounded by his family.

Services will be held Friday at 10:00 am at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City with Reverend Michael T. Phillips officiating. Friends may call Thursday from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Lone Tree Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice or Hills Fire & Rescue.

Ted was born on February 14, 1929 in Pella, Iowa, the son of Fern and Mary Marguerite (Jansen) Gillham. He was raised in Bowling Green, Missouri by his grandparents. Ted married Helen M. Carr on June 1, 1952 in Pike County, Missouri.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and the Korean War, where he worked with a team to build the Alcan Highway. Ted worked for 23 years as a guard at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale. After retiring in 1989, he worked at Hawk-I Feed and Relay in Coralville until 1996. Ted also owned and operated Ted’s Upholstery in Hill’s from 1958 until 1999 - at which time his children took over the business.

Ted enjoyed camping, picking his guitar and drinking coffee at the local businesses in Hills. Some of his passions included genealogy, playing solitaire on the computer, eating shrimp and spending time with his family.

His family includes his wife, Helen of Hills; one brother, Charles (Esther) Gillham of Newark, Ohio; his children, Stevin and his wife Pamela of Hills, Sheree and her husband Randall Tadlock of Iowa City, Tom and his wife Cynthia of Iowa City, and David and his wife Kris of Lone Tree; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, son Doug, grandson Justin, and great grandson Tylor.

On-line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com