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Koch Funeral Home - State College

2401 S. Atherton Street

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Mark Gilligan Obituary

Mark J. Gilligan April 4th, 1920 June 18th, 2014 Mark J. Gilligan, 94, passed away on Wednesday, June 18th, 2014 at his home. He was born in Tyrone, on April 4th, 1920. Mark was the 11th of 12 children born to Edward and Clotilde Kingston Gilligan. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings, a young daughter, Susan Marie Gilligan, and an infant grandson, Evan Thomas Gilligan. Mark graduated in 1939 from State College High School where he was a member of the first State High wrestling team. After graduation, he joined the Army and fought in WWII. There he was a Staff Sergeant and a Sharpshooter. He earned the American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. Mark was Honorably Discharged in 1945. He married Shirley Kline on May 18, 1946. For six years they owned and operated Mark's Pero's Dairy Store located on Nittany Avenue by Memorial Field in State College. Mark was then employed by Sears Roebuck and Company as a salesman in home improvement. He retired from Sears in 1982. Mark was a lifetime member of Our Lady of Victory Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the VFW Club 5825 of Pine Grove Mills. He was an avid Penn State supporter and attended numerous Penn State wrestling events and football games. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley Kline Gilligan, who resides at home. Also surviving are two sons, Michael M. Gilligan and his wife, Antoinette, of Cambridge, Ma., and Thomas Gilligan and his wife, Susan, of State College, and four grandchildren, Bradford Gilligan of Cambridge Ma., Amber Gilligan and her husband, Matt Garrison, of Columbia, Md., Ashlynne Gilligan of Medford, Ma., and Eden Gilligan of State College, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. Friends will be received at Koch Funeral Home on Friday, June 27, 2014 from 6:00pm till 8:00pm. There will be a funeral mass on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 10:30am at Our Lady of Victory Church with Father Val Bradley officiating. Burial will follow at Centre County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in Mark's memory to, The Penn State Wrestling Club P.O. Box 1103, State College, PA. 16804, Centre County PAWS Animal Shelter 1401 Trout Rd., State College, Pa. 16801 or Our Lady of Victory Church 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, Pa. 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome. com.

Published by Centre Daily Times on Jun. 22, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
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Aunt Shirley, Tommy, Mike and family. I am so very sorry to hear of Uncle Mark's passing. He was so cute and always with a smile on his face. I will always remember coming on Sundays to your house for homemade ice cream and you getting me off to school with Mike. Those were wonderful years and will always be in my heart and memories. Uncle Mark was such a wonderful, remarkable man and he will be truly missed by all those people that he's touched over his lifetime. I am saddened and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. You are in my heart and prayers. I know how hard this is to lose someone so special. He had a full and wonderful life, family and friends that loved him and will continue to carry his memory forever. May God Bless you all.
With all my love,
Karen Adams& family

June 28, 2014

Shirley and family,
We are sorry to hear of Mark's passing. Annette and I will keep you all in our thought's and prayers.

Glenn Raup

June 27, 2014

Dear Mrs. Gilligan, Tom, Sue and Girls -
I was so very sorry to hear of Mr. Gilligan's passing. He was truly was of the nicest men I have ever known. Some of my fondest memories are those of walking home from Panorama School for lunch and then rushing back to your house before returning to school. Your dad gave us M&M's and made Ovaltine for us to drink. He was also so patient listening to us practice the trombone and trumpet. Please accept our sincere sympathies. May God grant you Peace through this difficult time.
Kathy Rhule Obermeier and Dave Obermeier

Kathy Obermeier

June 27, 2014

Never met, and will never meet any man better. Thank's Mark for making me want to be a better man going forward in life. Love to the whole Gilligan family.

June 26, 2014

Shirley, Tommy, Mike and family,

So sorry for your loss. Mark was one of the nicest, kindest men I've ever known. Mom always enjoyed his company when he used to drive her on trips.

I won't be able to attend the viewing, but my thoughts and prayers are with you. Best wishes to all.

Tom

Tom Dunaway

June 25, 2014

Dear Shirley,
I was truly saddened to learn of Mark's passing. He was such a great man and fortunately lived a long life (never long enough). Mark was so enjoyable to be around and I always loved talking to him about the softball team, wrestling, or whatever came up. His always positive outlook left an impression on me that helped as I progressed through life. Everyone who knew or had met Mark through the years is better for it.
He will be truly missed and I can only say that you have my deepest sympathies and prayers.

Jim Engel

June 25, 2014

Mike
So sorry to learn of your Dad passing. Will be thinking of you and your mom..

Dave MacKenzie

Dave MacKenzie

June 25, 2014

Dear Tom And Sue,

Paul and I would like to express our sincere sympathy. I hope your fond memories will lift your spirits during this very difficult time. You were a great son and daughter in law to him. You were so lucky to have him for so long. Praying for your family.

Lou Ann and Paul

June 23, 2014

Dear Aunt Shirley,Mike, and Tom-I'm saddened by the news of Uncle Mark's death. I really enjoyed mytime with him while growing up. He was one of my "favorites". My prayer go out to you. Love Tracy

Tracy Noll

June 23, 2014

Dear Shirley and Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I remember Mark well and the many lunches I had at PeRos during high School. Then of course there was the connection your son had with my nephew in "Robin and the Hoods".

We wish you peace and strength.

Carl and Helen Breon Volz

Helen Volz

June 23, 2014

Thank you for your service to our great country! R. I. P.

June 23, 2014

Dear Aunt Shirley and Family, I was so saddened to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in the love of family and friends. God bless you all. Karen

Karen Kline

June 23, 2014

Everyone who new Uncle Mark will miss him and that never ending smile. But guaranteed Nan and him are fishing in heavens verison of Raystown.

Amy Longenecker

June 22, 2014

Uncle Mark used to always tease me about getting my adoption papers ready, I would have been honored to be his daughter as he was the kindest, most gentle man I have ever known. God blessed him with a wonderful wife and family and they have had the gift of having him close for 94 years. God bless Tom and Sue and they family as they adjust to the big void that he has left in all our lives.

Debra Kline

June 22, 2014

Sir, I thank you for your service and bravery you had to keep us safe.
May you now rest in Peace.

June 22, 2014

Dear Tommy and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. My daddy passed yesterday, I know your pain. but, the joy is our Dads met at the Gates and we all be together again someday! xoxo

Dana Neil

June 21, 2014

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