Dorothy and George Gilker

Mrs. Dorothy Gilker, 72, of Sunset Home, formerly of 704 S. Sixth and Sunset Home, joined her husband in Heaven at 9:50 a.m. Sunday (March 8, 2009). George Gilker died Feb. 22, 2006, in Blessing Hospital. Born Feb. 26, 1937, in Rock Island, Dorothy was the daughter of Charles and Mary Hardy Howell. Dorothy enjoyed cooking, growing flowers, country music and was devoted to her family and cherished the time she spent with them. Dorothy and George were married on Dec. 2, 1955, in Quincy and from this union are four children, Deborah Austin, Earl Gilker and his wife Pam, Shirley Clark and her husband, Steve, and Bruce Gilker and his wife, Joann, all of Quincy; 12 grandchildren, Steven Clark Jr., Michael Austin, Misty Williams and her husband, Trevor, Dale Austin II and his fiancee, Amanda Brown, Amber Austin and her fiance, Joel Welty, Jessie Harrison and her husband, Timothy, Bruce Gilker Jr. and his daughter, Kloee, Anthony Gilker, Dana Caley and her husband, Andy, Jennifer Gilker, Earl Gilker Jr. and Hank Gilker; and 11 great-grandchildren. Dorothy is also survived by a brother, Ralph Howell and his wife, Karen, of Quincy; three sisters, Linda Durst of Canton, Mo., Doris Whittaker and Marilyn Hardy, both of Quincy, and many loving nieces and nephews. Mrs. Gilker was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; a granddaughter, Missy Austin; a grandson, Dana Austin; four brothers, Ronald "Sonny" Howell, Jerry Howell, David Howell and Donald Hardy; a sister, Shirley Dye; and three brothers-in-law, Dennis Durst, Dave Whittaker and James Gilker. SERVICES: Cremation rites have been accorded to Mr. and Mrs. Gilker. A celebration of Dorothy and George's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home by the Rev. George Tomko. Dorothy and George will be inurned together in Greenmount Cemetery. VISITATION: Friends are invited to meet with the family on Wednesday from 9:30 until the time of services at the funeral home. MEMORIALS: Sunset Home. ARRANGEMENTS: Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.