Robert And Sandra Gilkerson

Sandra Nell Gilkerson passed away August 7, 2025 and joined her husband Robert F. Glikerson, Sr. who had passed away January 2, 2021. Robert passed away at the height of the Covid pandemic where a suitable memorial service could not be arranged. Now with this lovely couple reunited, we pause for a moment to celebrate their lives and reflect on the volumes of memories left behind and cherished by family and friends. Passages from families' treasured memories will be shared within, in hopes of inspiring those left behind to follow the good works of Sandra and Robert while recognizing the abundance they put back into the world to make it a better place for all of us. First and foremost, always remembering that both had honorably served their country in the United States Air Force.
Sandra and Robert were the pilot light for each other's flame, their love for one another was effortless and their passion for one another never faded. Family wonders if they were connected by an invisible string, because one was never far from the other. Sandra and Robert were often found sitting together in their home's living room, each with a dachshund in their respective laps. In quiet setting like this, Robert often read through his library of books or touched up one of his paintings while Sandra was busy working sudoku or crossword puzzles. Other memories included fishing with Grandpa Robert off the pier, or him riding with a grandchild holding a drivers permit in his Geo Metro. Memories of sitting on his lap and listening to Grandpa's stories of the "Good Ol' Days" or wearing hand sewn outfits made by Grandma will always fill the longing in the hearts of their grandchildren.
So many lessons are inscribed in the memories of Sandra and Robert's family, from simple activities of preparing the table for supper to laboring in the garden and helping tend to the lawn which all led to a family meal first blessed with prayer and followed by conversations of the day's events. There are many lessons in life that Sandra and Robert instilled in their family, but none more important or fulfilling than hearing their Grandparents proudly and purposely proclaim their love for each member of their family. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" 1 Corinthians 13:13.
Sandra and Robert are survived by their adoring family, sons, Robert Franklin Gilkerson, Jr and his wife Lanie, Robert Wayne Gilkerson and his wife Ida, grandchildren, Teri Kay Rathke (Lance), Zachary Gilkerson (Aly), and Garrett Gilkerson, great-grandchildren, Daryn, Torie, Cason, Kohen and Ezra. Sister, Donna Rose Johnson and brother Phil Suitt (Lillie). They were preceded in death by their parents, Sandra's brother Billy Suitt and a brother-in-law, Bill Johnson.
A Life Celebration service will be held at 2 pm Friday, Auguust 29, 2025 in the Seydler-Hill Funeral Home Chapel. An inurnment service will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Wounded Warriors Foundation. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Robert and Sandra, please visit our Tree Store.