CONOVER — John L. Gillfillan, 88, of Conover, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, at Brookdale of Troy after battling diabetes for several years. He was born on Jan. 23, 1928, in Storms Station, Ross County, OH, to the late Walter and Frankie Grace (Purdum) Gillfillan. On Oct. 29, 1950, he married Norma J. Barnes. After 66 years of marriage, she survives.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by two sons: John Norwood (Debby Brown) Gillfillan of Urbana, and Keith Alan (Stephanie Pettey) Gillfillan of Newport Beach, CA; one daughter: JoLynn (Dean) Caven of Fletcher; two brothers: James Gordon (Shirley) Gillfillan of Chillicothe, and Tom (Kathy) Gillfillan of Jackson; grandson: Weston (Wendy) Gillfillan of Long Beach, CA, and their son: Bradley Thomas Gillfillan; granddaughters: Tara Lynn Gillfillan of New York, NY, and Anisa Elizabeth Gillfillan of Valley Village, CA, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister and brother-in-law: Marceil and Charles Fout; one brother and sister-in-law: Richard and Maxine Gillfillan; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law: Mickey and Bill Easterday, Edward and Virginia Barnes, David E. Barnes and Herbert Ray Barnes Jr.; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Herbert Ray Barnes and Mildred Rittinger Barnes Hardman; and stepfather-in-law: Earl Hardman.

John attended Harrison School and rode the same school bus as his future wife, Norma. He was a graduate of Southeastern School at Richmondale. After high school, John served with the Marine Corps for three years. He then attended The Ohio State University, where he lived in the Buckeye Club in the OSU Stadium. John was called back into the Marines and served during the Korean War. After his second term of service, he returned to The Ohio State University, where he graduated in 1954.

He and Norma moved to Miami County on Nov. 19, 1954. He farmed for many years, then was a supervisor for Miami County Soil and Water Conservation District. He later was an employee with the MCSWC for many years.

John was a member of Cove Springs Grange and the American Legion Post 184 in Piqua. He was also a member of Miami County Farm Bureau and Miami County Farm Bureau Agri-Business Council. John was a member of Casstown United Methodist Church.

Services will be held at noon on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, at Baird Funeral Home in Troy with the Rev. David Ramming and the Rev. Maggie Sykes co-officiating. Burial will follow in Casstown Cemetery, Casstown, with Veterans Honor Guard service. Friends may call from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Grange service will be held at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County, P.O. Box 502, Troy, OH 45373; Bethany Center, P O. Box 224, Piqua, OH 45356; A.B. Graham Center, 8025 E. State Route 36, Conover, OH 45317; Casstown United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 203, Casstown, OH 45312; or charity of donor's choice.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.