Veryle Gilleece 1935-2020
Veryle Dean Gilleece, 84, of Valley Falls, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2020, at The Village Villa in Nortonville.
He was born Sept. 20, 1935, the son of Clarence and Lillie (Tosh) Gilleece. He graduated from Denison High School in 1954.
He joined the United States Air Force on April 2, 1958 and was honorably discharged on Nov. 9, 1960. He was an aircraft mechanic and earned the ranked of E-3.
Veryle was a farmer, which he truly loved because it gave him simple rewards that no other profession could give him. Planting, cultivating and raising animals gave him a sense of purpose and a joy that filled his heart. He will always be remembered by his family and friends who were bonded by the farm, the life lessons and work ethic that Veryle taught them.
On June 27, 1959, Veryle was united in marriage to Martha Gail Hayden at the Coal Creek Methodist Church in Valley Falls. They shared more than 61 years of marriage. She survives.
Other survivors include his children, Greg Gilleece of Isabel and Kris Carothers of Scranton; a sister, Mildred Olden of Topeka; a brother, Vernon Gilleece of Carrollton, Texas; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Veryle was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Delbert and Eldon Gilleece; a sister, Yvonne Swope; and a granddaughter, Amy Gilleece Cummings.
A memorial graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 31 at the Valley Falls Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson County 4-H Foundation, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
