John R. Gillespie Jr.

John R. Gillespie Jr.
John R. Gillespie Jr., 83, died Thursday at Cornerstone Hospice in Tavares, Fla. Formerly of Saxonburg, Cabot and Tarentum, Mr. Gillespie had lived in Central Florida in recent years.
Born June 25, 1928, he was the son of the late John R. and Anna (Scott) Gillespie of Brackenridge.
Following graduation from Indiana (Pa.) State Teachers College, now Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gillespie taught music at Penn, Winfield and Jefferson township schools before the townships joined together to form the South Butler County School system.
He then enlisted in the Army, playing his trumpet in the Army Band.
After returning from his time serving our country, he was the music director at Knoch High School for 37 years until retiring.
Mr. Gillespie was well-known throughout Butler County and the valley for his music. He was the choir director at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saxonburg and conducted the Harrisville Community Band for 10 years. He played with the Butler County Symphony and the Slippery Rock Musicians' Concert Band. He also played with the Son Shine Band and numerous other bands in Pennsylvania and Florida.
When he wasn't playing his trumpet, Mr. Gillespie was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed camping and hunting small game. Together with his famous beagle, Ben, they trained many of the hunting dogs in the Saxonburg area.
In his lifetime, Mr. Gillespie knew the love of three wonderful women: Margaret Singer, his college sweetheart, who he married in June 1950 and who passed away in November 2001; Anne Falco, who passed away in May 2009; and Gloria Zaugg, with whom he made his home.
He is survived by three daughters and their families: Marcia Krause and her husband, Frohn, of Rimersburg; Karen Boltz and her husband, Marlin, of Cabot; and Mary Ramsey and her husband, Steve, of Jenera, Ohio. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
GILLESPIE - Friends of John R. Gillespie Jr., who died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, will be received at Fox Funeral Home, 410 W. Main St., Saxonburg, from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, and at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 28. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. James Dollhopf officiating. Interment will follow at Bull Creek Cemetery, Tarentum.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a hospice or other charity of the donor's choice.
Information also is available at www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.