Richard S. Jillson

Jillson, Richard S. WHITEHALL Richard S. Jillson, 80, formerly of Elizabeth Street, passed away on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at the Indian River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Granville, New York. He was born on April 14, 1927 in Whitehall, the son of the late Stewart and Dorothy (Day) Jillson. Richard grew up in Whitehall and graduated from Whitehall High School, class of 1944. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country as seaman first class until his honorable discharge in 1946. He later graduated from Albany Business College and the American Academy of Embalming and Mortuary Research. He was a licensed funeral director in the states of Vt. and N.Y. for over 40 years. Together with his father and later his son, he managed the Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., until his retirement. In 1952, he married Elna Stevens and they built a home on Elizabeth Street in Whitehall which they were very proud of. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage until her passing in 2003. Richard was very active in his community in Whitehall for many years. Some of his memberships and affiliations include the American Legion, Post 83, the B. P. O. E., Lodge #1491 of Whitehall where he was a former trustee, the Whitehall United Methodist Church where he was a former treasurer and the Greenmount Cemetery Association where he was a former treasurer. He was a avid New York Ranger fan. In his later years, he enjoyed golfing and was member of the Skene Valley Country Club where he was one of the members of the "Pack 6". He faced the disease of Alzheimer with dignity and humor. He requested to become a resident of the Indian River Nursing Home which became his second home for the past four years. He had a great fondness for all of his care givers at Indian River. In addition to his parents and his wife, he is predeceased by one son, Steven Richard Jillson who died in 1977 and his sister, Doreen Jillson St. Clair who died in 2005. He is survived by his children, Laurie Golding and her husband Michael of Watervliet, Jay T. Jillson and his wife Janet of Whitehall and Claire Greene and her husband Ralph of Fort Ann; his eight cherished grandchildren, Ella Golding and Steven Golding, Amber Jillson and Megan Jillson, Eric Greene and Christopher Greene and Heidi Molinero and Neil Molinero; his dear aunt, Blanche Jillson Callery of Johnstown; his brother-in-law, James St. Claire of Whitehall and his sister-in-law, Betty Barber of Whitehall; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. His family will be forever grateful to the staff of the Indian River for their professional care of their beloved dad and grandpa. A funeral service will be conducted on Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. at the Whitehall United Methodist Church in Whitehall by Rev. C. Don Wheeler, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Greenmount Cemetery in Whitehall. Family and friends may call at the Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., 46 Williams Street, Whitehall on Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Following the interment, family and friends are invited for a time of fellowship and refreshments at the American Legion Post #83 in Whitehall. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of a donation in Richard's name to Whitehall United Methodist Church, 56 Greenmount Cemetery Lane, Whitehall, NY 12887 or the St. Catherine's Center for Children, 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY12203.