Robert W. Gilliom

Robert (Bob) W. Gilliom passed away unexpectedly Friday evening, May 22, 2015.  Bob was born April 28, 1933 to Henry (Hank) and Lucille (Amstutz) Gilliom of Berne, Indiana.  Both parents are deceased.  Bob attended college at Goshen, IN but delayed his schooling and served in the Army for 2 years during the Korean War.  Bob did not see action nor leave the US during his service, though having volunteered.  He was a proud member of the Army Band during his service, playing the trombone.  After service he continued his education, going to Indiana University in Bloomington where he graduated with a degree in business. On June 29, 1957 Bob married Constance (Connie) Von Gunten in Berne, Indiana.  Connie Survives.  In addition to his wife Bob is survived by his two daughters, Wendi Gilliom and Tammi (Rod) Hofstetter of Tipton, IN, 4 Grandchildren Chad (Paula) Hofstetter, Jama (Richey) Hoover, Ashlie (Andrew) Brady and Joshua Hofstetter, and 9 great-grandchildren.  Bob is also survived by his two siblings, twins David (Marilyn) Gilliom and Sandra (Kenneth) Reinhard, and sister-in-law Sally Eaton, as well as his 9 nieces and nephews.  In addition one aunt, Anna Marie Neuenschwander of Berne, sister to Bob’s mother and his wife’s aunt, Margaret Berkey, sister to Connie’s mother, survive.  Numerous cousins also survive. Preceding Bob in death were his parents, Hank in 1971 and Lucille in 2006, his father-in-law Fred Von Gunten in 2003, mother-in-law Edna (Berkey) Von Gunten in 2006, brother-in-law John Eaton in 2002 and one niece, Anne (Gilliom) Andrus in 2012, and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. Bob’s work history was quite diverse, from paper routes; mowing lawns and a model airplane shop (The Prop Shop – an endeavor of his father’s and his in Bob’s youth) to having been a semi driver for Dunbar Furniture of Berne, IN, a salesman for Dunbar Furniture and for CTS of Berne, IN.  In 1970 he went to work for Berne Furniture as the general manager, and for a time Bob and Connie had a small side business (Gilliom Motorcycle Accessories).  In 1985 Bob became the general manager for TPI in Paoli, Indiana where he and wife Connie moved after having lived in Berne, Indiana their entire lives up until then (minus the years in the army and college).  After leaving TPI, Bob worked for First Chance Center in Paoli, which he found to be the most rewarding of all his previous employments.  Among his accomplishments for First Chance he initiated their Lawn Care Service. From the mid 1970’s until more recent times Bob had a love of motorcycling.  Having been to the majority of the U.S. on his motorcycle, his love of travel had him in every state minus Alaska and Hawaii over the years, as well as a good portion of Canada and into Mexico and the Bahamas prior to traveling by motorcycle.  In November 1995 an article written by Bob about one of his many motorcycle journeys title “Bob’s Odyssey” appeared in Wing World magazine.  Bob belonged to several motorcycle clubs over the years, having headed a branch of the GWRRA for a time while living in Berne. Bob was a long time Rotary member during his years in Berne.  He had many hobbies, from the aforementioned motorcycling and traveling, Stamp collecting, a love of cars, lawn care, auto racing and photography.  He enjoyed driving and seeing new things, spending time with his family and friends.  Having spent the past 30 years discovering the beauty of the Southern part of Indiana and Northern Kentucky and sharing it with others when given the opportunity, an avid nature lover, watching and feeding birds, deer and any other animal he could draw to his back yard for food and observation. Though having an avid interest in guns, Bob was not much of a hunter, but “shot” as many animals as he could with his cameras. In recent years Bob had enjoyed various feline pets, the most recent of pets, Fritz, who came to Bob and Connie as a kitten, and whose antics entertained and delighted Bob. Bob and Connie both attended the Paoli Mennonite Fellowship, having grown up in the Mennonite church, being members of the First Mennonite Church of Berne, IN. Believing in God, in Christ and believing that his soul was secure with Christ. He had no fear of death and was looking forward to seeing his beloved Savior and all the wonders of His eternal home. In accordance with Bob’s wishes his earthly body will be cremated. The family will have a memorial service celebrating the life of Bob Gilliom at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at the Paoli Mennonite Fellowship located at 2589 N. CR 100 W, Paoli, IN 47454.  Officiating the service will be Matt Pflederer, preacher at the Paoli Mennonite Fellowship. Dillman-Scott Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangments, 226 West Campbell Street, Paoli, 812-723-2276. Online condolences can be made at dillmanscottfuneralhome.com