Fern L. Gilliland

April 24, 1919 - December 25, 2009

MATTOON -- Fern L. Gilliland, age 90, of Mattoon, IL, passed away at 8:00 a.m., Friday, December 25, 2009, at her daughter's residence, surrounded by her loving family. The funeral service in honor of her life will be held at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois, with Pastor Jerry Sweeney officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mattoon, IL. Mrs. Gilliland was born April 24, 1919, in Mattoon, IL, the daughter of Herbert and Lillie (Weaver) Sherer. She married Frank W. Temple on July 22, 1939. He preceded her in death on June 30, 1945. She later married Donald K. Handwerk on January 6, 1951. He preceded her in death on September 4, 1954. She later married Robert E. Gilliland on July 6, 1955 He preceded her in death on March 11, 1985. She is survived by her two daughters, Cinda (Handwerk) Collins and her husband Ross of Mattoon, IL and Mary Ann (Gilliland) Osborne of Cincinnati, OH. She is survived by six grandchildren. Jenna (Collins) Reed and husband Jerry of Glen Carbon, IL; Tina (Collins) Thornberry and husband Rob of Redbud, IL; Casey (Collins) Hoenes and husband Clint of Mattoon, IL; Abby Collins of Mattoon, IL; Sam and Lydia Osborne of Cincinnati, OH. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren; Chloe, Ivy and Eli Thornberry of Redbud, IL; Riley and Alex Reed of Glen Carbon, IL and Carlee Hoenes of Mattoon, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, eight brothers and sisters, one grand-daughter Hannah Osborne and one great grandson Oliver Thornberry. Mrs. Gilliland began her career as a charter employee of the General Electric Company in 1947 and retired from General Electric in 1983 as a supervisor. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Mattoon, IL. She was a member of the Ladies of the Moose, Mattoon Eagles Lodge, and a twenty year member of the Bowling Club. She enjoyed bingo, traveling and quilting. She treasured time spent with her children and her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her positive outlook on life, her sense of humor and being an avid Chicago Cubs fan. Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852, American Diabetes Association , Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311 or the American Heart Association , National Center 7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, TX 75231. Please visit www.Mitchell-Jerdan.com to light a virtual candle in her honor or to share a memory with her family

Funeral Information

The funeral service in honor of her life will be held at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois, with Pastor Jerry Sweeney officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mattoon, IL.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852, American Diabetes Association , Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311 or the American Heart Association , National Center 7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, TX 75231.