Michael D. Gillespie

03/05/1937 - 04/03/2011

GILLESPIE, Michael D.
(Age 74)

Mike was born in Spokane on March 5, 1937 to Marcus and Margaret Jane (Smith) Gillespie. He passed away April 3, 2011 in his home in the Spokane Valley. Mike graduated from Central Valley High School and after two years in the Marine Corps, he attended the University of Montana in Missoula. After college he moved to California becoming a national bank examiner for the State of California and married his first wife and had two daughters. When he returned to Spokane he remarried and had another daughter. He retired as an accountant for the Washington Dept. of Transportation. In his younger years he was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for golfing, boating, bird hunting and fishing. Mike was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 40 years ago and handled it with his own brand of humor and grace. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and sister Janet C. Eiden. He is survived by sisters Marcia Coursey and Julie (Tom) Lundstrom; daughters Pamela (Mike) Skidmore, Kathryn (Brian) Schiazzano, Mia (Chris) Robbins; stepdaughter Jamie Laughlin and five grandchildren. Mike is also survived by the love of his life and wonderful companion of six years, Eleanore Badinger. A memorial service will be held Saturday April 9, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley. Memorial contributions can be made in Mike's honor to the American Heart Association and Cancer Care NW.