Richard Gillispie

Richard Gillispie, 89, Topeka, passed away Saturday August 25, 2007. He was born September 27, 1917 in Plainville, KS to Earl T. and Elsie Jane Mills Gillespie.
In young adulthood, he changed the spelling of his last name, a family tradition. He attended schools in Plainville, IN, Junction City, KS and nearly graduated from KSU before being called to the Army. He was an officer from 1940 through 1945, stationed in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was attacked, and later at other posts around the U.S., followed by 28 years Army Reserve service, reaching the rank of Lt. Col. He worked for the KS Inspection Bureau, later named ISO Kansas until he retired in 1982 and belonged to the Order of Blue Goose. In retirement he became active and held offices in several Masonic organizations: Topeka Lodge #17; life member of Scottish Rite, KCCH, 33° Honorary; National Sojourners, Heroes of '76; York Rite bodies; and DeMolay Legion of Honor.
He married Leola Belle Hagen July 11, 1943 in Topeka. She preceded him in death (1986), as did sons Richard Jr. (1983); Jeffrey (1999) and sister Alice Holbrook. He is survived by son David E. Gillispie; daughter Kathryn (Kate) Gillispie and her husband Gary Spray, all of Topeka; one granddaughter Amanda J. Gillispie, Portland, OR; grandson Corbin Gillispie Spray, Topeka and KU; sister Rachael McWilliams of Forsyth, MO; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Interment will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Gillispie will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Institute of Logopedics (aka) Heartspring, 8700 SE 29th St. North, Wichita, KS 67226 or American Heart Association, Memorial & Tribute Processing Center, P.O. Box 1652, Topeka, KS 66601-1653.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.