Gilbert F. "Gillie" Withrow

Gilbert Franklin "Gillie" Withrow, 88 of Beardstown, died Monday, January 26, 2026 at Beardstown Nursing and Rehab.

He was born March 27, 1937 in Beardstown, the son of William Richard and Henrietta Parks Withrow. He married Winifred L. Mosher on August 8, 1972 and she preceded him in death on March 29, 2008. He later married Rosemary Rhoades and she survives in Beardstown.

He is also survived by one daughter Cinda Hawkins (husband Curtis) of East Peoria; five grandchildren Curtis Hawkins Jr (wife Tonya) of Germantown Hills, Eric Hawkins (wife Kasey) and Christopher Hawkins, both of Washington, IL, and Steven Hawkins (wife Lindsay) of Groveland, and Tyler (fiance Ashley Lou) Hawkins of Creve Coeur; ten great grandchildren Jaelee, Raylynn, Malysia, Jayden, Jacey, Bryant, Camden, Willa, Cru, and Bodie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, two sisters Kathryn Rosella Butcher, and Jessie Mae Stambaugh, and five brothers Wilbur, Melvin, Fred, Gene, and Donald Withrow.

Gillie's journey began at Beardstown High School, class of 1957, and took him to service in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He belonged to Bethel Nazarene Church in Beardstown, the Peoria VFW, and Guthrie-Pierce VFW Post #1239. Gillie found joy in camping and fishing adventures with his grandkids, riding in wheelchairs through the state fair with his wife, and cheering on Bradley Basketball. He was happiest working with his hands, crafting wooden treasures like stagecoaches and even sculpting an Abe Lincoln statue from concrete. His love for horses and animals ran deep, and in his younger days, he and his daughter poured their energy into fixing up rental houses. In recent years, Gillie's creative spirit flourished as he spent hours drawing and making art.

Funeral services will be held at Noon, Friday, January 30, 2026 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Burial will follow in Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to the services at the memorial home on Friday.

Memorials have been suggested to the Guthrie-Pierce VFW Post #1239. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.