Carl Edson Gilman (2013)

GILMAN, KETTELSON, MAPES, MCDOWALL, WHITEIS

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 1/25/2013 at 19:37:13

Johnson Family Funeral Home, Stuart, Iowa
January 23, 2013

CARL GILMAN, Stuart

Carl Gilman, 95, of Stuart, Iowa passed away January 22, 2013 at the Stuart Community Care Center. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday, January 25, 2013 at the Stuart-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in Stuart. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, January 24, 2013 at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart. Burial will be held in South Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made directed to the Carl Gilman Memorial Fund in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Stuart, Iowa 50250. Online condolences may be left atwww.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com

Carl was born on January 1, 1918 to Henry and Dora (Kettelson) Gilman at the farm house near Earlham. He attended Earlham High School where he met Ruth Mapes, they were married on November 15, 1941 at Penn Center Church. They spent the next 64 years together. Carl and Ruth lived in the "honeymoon cottage: a mile North of the homestead until February 24, 1942 when they moved and became the third generation to live on the family farmstead, five miles SW of Stuart. They had three children: Millie, Craig and Cary.

In 1986, Cary took over the farm operation and moved to the farmstead in 1987 with his wife Rochelle, becoming the fourth generation to live and farm there.

Carl got his first dog in 1942. After retirement him and Ruth traveled to dog trials in several states and won many awards. He took puppies to the care center and put on demonstrations with his dogs and sheep that ended with his dog Sparky closing the gate.

Carl was the director for the Iowa Sheep Wool Growers Association and was inducted into the Iowa Sheep Industry Association Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Farmers Electric Co-Op Board for 30 years, serving as President for six years. He also served on the Board for CIPCO and was the Treasurer for three years for Adair County Farm Bureau.

He attended 64 out of 65 Iowa State Fairs; showing sheep and the 1993 State Fair Hampshire Sheep Show was dedicated in Carl's honor. Nearly all of these years Carl and Ruth camped on the fair grounds. After Ruth's stroke in 1996 he made his first trip to the fair without his camping partner. For more than 30 years he worked as Assistant Sheep Superintendent in the sheep office. That familiar voice over the PA system and the camper outside the sheep barn will be missed come State Fair time in August, 2013. He loved his State Fair family.

He continued to garden after Ruth was gone and shared his flowers and vegetables with others.

Week day mornings he looked forward to coffee and conversation at the Round Table and making a trip through the Care Center before returning home.

A special thank you from Carl's family to his State Fair family, The Round Table, Care Center and the community for their support and friendships.

He is preceded in death by his parents; loving wife: Ruth; and siblings: Everett, Roy, Curtis and Margaret.

He leaves behind his children: Millie (Kit) McDowall of Altoona, Craig (Stephanie) Gilman of Bondurant, Cary (Rochelle) Gilman of Stuart; grandchildren: Kelly (Marnie) McDowall of Colorado, Mindi (Bob) Whiteis of Wisconsin, Ethan Gilman of Stuart, Leah Gilman of Stuart; great-grandchildren: Klay, Claire, Samantha, Will; sister-in-law: Juanita Gilman of Stuart and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Carl and Ruth were both devoted members of the Jefferson Center Church where he was director for several years.

Carl was known by his family and community as a gentle devoted shepherd who shared with others. He was involved in 4-H for 68 years and with FFA members helping the youth start their own flocks. He loved the lambing season and cared for each lamb.

The Twenty-Third Psalm tells of our shepherd and his desire to care for us, his sheep. Carl through his lifetime has also revealed his untiring desire to love and care for his sheep.

Coordinator's note: Carl's middle name was found in the Madison County, Iowa birth records.

Gravestone Photo
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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