Merrill “Jack” Gillum, who was 85 years old and lived in Fairview Heights, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at Sunrise of Des Peres in Des Peres, Missouri. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing while staying at the facility.
Following his service in the United States Navy during World War II, Jack received his degree from Purdue University. When he finally decided to retire, he had worked for Union Electric for forty years as an electrical engineer and manager.
His involvement in parish activities began at St. Philip Catholic Church in East St. Louis and continued at Our Lady of the Assumption in Fairview Heights. He served as the athletic director, umpire, referee, and scheduler at both parishes. He was also involved in the administrative duties of the church. Additionally, he was a mentor for Junior Achievement and served as a trustee for the parish board. Throughout his life.
Jack was a skilled handyman who spent countless hours not only working on his own home but also assisting his adult children with their own homes. He enjoyed fishing and working in the garden.
It was a source of tremendous joy for him to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as to watch the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball. His parents, John W. and Zelma, nee Wonderlin, Gillum, as well as his sister, Ila Jean Pichon, as well as his brothers-in-law, Joseph and Frank Pitlik, Bob Porter, Joe Trigalet, Ed Dalbey, and Bob Rodman, as well as his sister-in-law, Irma, nee Pitlik, Porter, passed away before him.
He is survived by his wife, Helen M., nee Pitlik, Gillum; four children, Tom (Kathy) Gillum of Swansea, Ill., Judy (Stephen) Fihn of Seattle, Wash., Don (Pat) Gillum of Shiloh, Ill., and Ken (Jayne) Gillum of Collinsville, Ill.; nine grandchildren, Tim (Tammy) Gillum, Jeff (Elisha) Gillum, Nathan Fihn, Elsa Fihn, Conrad Fihn, Jennifer Gillum (Tim Beech), Josh Gillum, Carly Gillum and Megan Gillum; six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Drew, Brooke, Sydney, Cooper and Ashtyn; three brothers, Ron (Liz) Gillum of Norman, Okla., Richard (Carla) Gillum of Washington, Ill., and Daryl (Cecelia) Gillum of Gainesville, Ga.; brother-in-law, Bill (Cathleen) Pitlik and Charle Dietz; sisters-in-law, Mary, nee Pitlik, Dalbey, Elizabeth Pitlik; Julie, nee Pitlik, Trigalet, Esther, nee Pitlik, Rodman, Tillie, n
