Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Gilliland, Thomas Breckenridge February 18, 1931
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net June 14, 2010, 5:50 pm

The Lake Odessa Wave, Thursday, February 19, 1931
Monday, Feb. 9, T. Breckenridge Gilliland for many years a resident of the 
village, was stricken with paralysis from which he died Wednesday afternoon 
about two o’clock.  His family have been almost constantly at his bedside 
since he was stricken.  Almost from the first there was little hope, yet at 
times he rallied and a faint hope was held for his recovery.  The funeral will 
be Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Methodist church.  Obituary next week.

Subsequent Publication:  Thursday, February 26, 1931

One of the pleasantest pastimes of the elderly men of this village is the 
horseshoe throwing that takes place when the weather is fair enough to permit 
of the game.  Not so long ago death entered the ranks of the club and took J. 
D. Parmeter and last week another of its members passed to that other court 
where winter and snow does not despoil its happiness.  Mr. Breck Gilliland who 
died this week was an enthusiastic member of that club.

The passing of Breck Gilliland was the first break in the family circle of 
that family, and these first breaks always come exceptionally hard to those 
bereft.  A few months more and he and his wife would have celebrated their 50 
years of wedded life.  Mr. Gilliland has been a faithful worker in the village 
all his life and has watched it grow from a hamlet to its present place on the 
map.  

The funeral was held at the Methodist church Friday afternoon, the pastor Rev. 
O. F. Bulman preached, the music was by a male quartette of Messrs. L. T. 
Gilson, M. G. Morgan, George Kart and S. W. Dann accompanied by Mrs. Thomas 
Johnson.  The pallbearers were Jacob Warner, Barney Oatley, Earl and James 
Read, John Heintzelman and Charles Ernsberger.  Burial was at Lakeside 
cemetery.

Thomas Breckenridge Gilliland was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, December 5, 
1856, and departed this life at his home in Lake Odessa on February 18, 1931, 
at the age of 74 years, two months, and 13 days.  At the age of 21 he came to 
Lake Odessa and with the exception of one year has lived in this community 
ever since.  He was married to Miss Sarah Mariah Bever of Lake Odessa on May 
11, 1881.  They began housekeeping on a farm northwest of Lake Odessa where 
they lived for eight years.  From the farm they moved to Lake Odessa and moved 
into their present home where they have lived for the past 41 years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland were born five children, all of whom are living.  
The death of Mr. Gilliland makes the first break in the family circle and had 
he lived until next May they would have celebrated their fiftieth wedding 
anniversary.  Mr. Gilliland was stricken with paralysis on Monday, Feb. 9, and 
passed peacefully away on Wednesday afternoon.

He leaves to mourn their loss his devoted wife, the five children, Bert B., 
Orley A., Fern, Orpha, and Burma; seventeen grandchildren, two great-
grandchildren; four brothers, William of Findley, Ohio, Lennox of Lansing, and 
Frank and Edward of Lake Odessa, besides other relatives and many friends.  

Mr. Gilliland was converted and united with the Congregational church under 
the pastorate of The Rev. G. A. Arnie.  He was a man who was greatly devoted 
to his home and sustained very friendly relations with all who knew him.

Thee is no prison for the soul
That dwells within God’s boundless peace;
And sickness builds no dungeon walls
For one who knows sin’s surcease.

With Thee, my Lord, with Thee I do not fear
To cross the threshold of the mystic door;
I shall not falter if I find Thee near;
My Savoir, Lord, forever more.

Card of Thanks

We wish to extend our most heartfelt thanks to the friends, neighbors and 
relatives for their many acts of kindness during the illness and death of our 
dear husband and father.  We thank the I.O.O.F. Rebekahs, Horseshoe club and 
friends for flowers and cards, also the singers and pallbearers, and Rev. O. 
F. Bulman for his comforting words.  

Mrs. Breck Gilliland and family


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