Jack Dempsey Gillian

Jack Dempsey Gillian, 82, of 123 Pilch Road, Statesville, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at Gordon Hospice House. He was born June 26, 1927, and was the son of the late John Gillian and Ida Cales Gillian. Mr. Gillian attended Sandstone School in Sandstone W.Va., and on Feb. 24, 1951, was married to Emmagene Cales Gillian, who preceded him in death in 2000. He was retired from John Boyle Co. as a machine operator. Mr. Gillian was a member of Command Baptist Church. Survivors include three daughters, Brenda Hopkins (Gene), and Sandra Gillispie (Lloyd), both of Statesville, and Jackie Wisocky (Rob), of Spencer; a grandson, Scottie Hopkins, of Statesville; two granddaughters, Kristie Lewis (David), and Brittany Gillian, both of Statesville; three great-granddaughters, Abigail Snook, Kaylee Lewis and Zoe Hopkins, all of Statesville; four great-grandsons, Zachary Lewis, Paxton Lewis, Ebin Perguson and Kaleb Hopkins, all of Statesville; a host of nieces and nephews; and his second family, the Cales family, who adopted him following the death of his parents. In addition to his wife, Mr. Gillian was preceded in death by five brothers, Donald Gillian, Robert Gillian, David Gillian, Luther Gillian and Romey Gillian; and two sisters, Atha Ward and Rosie Adkins. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Command Baptist Church, with Pastor Jim Morgan and Tony Fox officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 6:30-8:30 p.m. this evening at Nicholson Funeral Home, and at other times at Mr. Gillian's home, at 123 Pilch Road, Statesville. Active pallbearers will be Zachary Lewis, David Lewis, Scottie Hopkins, Hank Cales, Bob Cales and Bob Haynes, along with an honorary pallbearer, Paxton Lewis. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Jack Gillian.