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Michael Gillespie Obituary
(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.
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael Gillespie
4 Entries
April 11, 2011
The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Michael D. Gillespie for your loss, to honor his service to our country and our patriotic hero.
Linda Anne House, Founding Member
Yvonne Argyle
April 8, 2011
Mike was one of the kindest people I have ever known and a true friend.
He was very caring and giving and always a gentleman. He always had a smile and a quick wit and sense of humor. I will always treasure the friendship and memories.
Yvonne Argyle
April 8, 2011
Mike was one of the kindest men I have ever known and a true friend.
Always a gentleman with a heart of gold. Very giving and caring and always had a smile. He had a cute sense of humor and quick wit. He will be missed and I will treasure many good memories and good times.
Jeanie Marshall
April 6, 2011
He was one of the most remarkable men I have ever had the pleasure to know. He was cheerful and caring. He was probably the bravest man I have ever known. When he was young he was lots lots of fun with his siblings and all of his cousins. He was his own man. He spent more time forgiving than he ever did being angry. All in all a special GREAT guy!
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