Funeral services for Wayne E. Gilpin, age 73, of Lemmon will be 2:30pm Saturday, April 9, at the Prince Of Peace Chapel of the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon with Florence Hoff, Lay Pastor officiating.


The cremains with full military honors by the Brattvet-Green American Legion Post #66 of Lemmon will be buried at Black Hills National Cemetery.


Special music "Farther Along," "Love Without End Amen", and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" will be provided by Gillian Damjanovich.


Serving as casketbearers are Otto Hahn, Rodney Anderson, Jamie Petersen, Frank and David Clark. All friends, family, and students are considered honorary bearers.


WAYNE EDGAR GILPIN was born July 10, 1931 at Chandlerville, IL to John Henry and Sylvia Helen (Williams) Gilpin. He attended school in Canton and graduated from Canton High School in 1949. Wayne enlisted into the U.S. Navy on July 11, 1949 at Peoria, IL. He served as a cook aboard a Navy battle ship. Following his discharge on February 7, 1950, he returned to Canton. He was united in marriage to Jimmie Helen Brown in 1952. Three children, Allan, Stephen and Anita were born to this union.


Wayne worked for numerous petroleum companies as a geothermal surveyor which took him to every state except Hawaii. He also traveled to South America and Spain. He was united in marriage to Pennie (Schroeder) Petersen on May 17, 1975 at Elko, NV. They moved to Lemmon to be near her family and Wayne continued traveling extensively doing survey work. Three children joined this family, Desirae, Jemond, and Autumn. Later on in his career he worked his way up in the company serving as a consultant and troubleshooter until 1986.


In 1988, he began working in the Lemmon School hot lunch program which he did until his failing health forced him to retire in January 2005.


Wayne enjoyed hunting, fishing, and bowling. He loved playing cards, particularly pinochle and hand and foot. He had a playful sense of humor and loved to play practical jokes on everyone. He was especially loved by the school children, which was evident by the numerous posters and get well cards he received during his illness.


He has been in failing health the past few months and lovingly cared for at home by his wife. He passed from this life on Tuesday afternoon, April 5, at his home in Lemmon at the age of 73 years, 9 months, 25 days.


Surviving family members include his wife, Pennie; 3 sons, Allan Gilpin, South Haven, MS; Stephen Gilpin, and Jamie Petersen, both of Biloxi, MS; 3 daughters, Anita Meehan, San Pablo, CA; Desirae Anderson, New England, ND; Autumn Petersen, Dickinson, ND; 24 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 2 brothers, John "Junior" Gilpin, Edmond, OK; David Gilpin, Brereton, IL; 1 sister, Robetine McGee, Canton, IL.


He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Donald Gilpin, Howard Sherwood Gilpin, and Harold Sherwin Gilpin.