Farrell Letcher Gilliland

Farrell Letcher Gilliland, Jr., 78 of Niles, Michigan died at home Saturday, December 5, 2020 in the presence of his wife and step-daughter. A private memorial service celebrating his life was held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University where Farrell was a member. Pastor Dwight K. Nelson officiated. Farrell was born on May 13, 1942 in Nevada, Iowa to Maxine (Bell) and Farrell Gilliland, Sr. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan in 1965 and a master’s degree, also in history, in 1966. He married Margarete Gruber in 1966, and they were married for 26 years. In 1970, their daughter Katharine Julia was born. He taught at Eau Claire High School, Andrews Academy, Mount Klabat College in Indonesia, Hinsdale Academy in Illinois, Union Academy in Nebraska, Berrien County’s Adult Education program and the GED program at the Berrien County Jail. He married Delores Foll Perry in 1995 and moved to Kansas. During this time, he taught and served as principal at Three Angels Seventh-day Adventist Junior Academy and Enterprise Academy/Great Plains Academy. He retired in 2009, and he and Delores moved to Michigan. Farrell’s passion was teaching and seeing his students’ eyes light up as he taught each subject. He was an excellent storyteller and a seasoned world traveler. He loved nature, bird watching, the beach, photography, and he was a voracious reader. Above all, Farrell loved God. He is survived by his wife, Delores; sister, Anne Gilliland Kantor; daughter, Katharine Gilliland (John) Horn; step-children, Jeff Perry and Joelle Perry (Daniel) Ashley; nephew, Jerry (Pam) Kantor, Jr. and niece, Julie Kantor (John) Hetherington; one great-niece; one great-nephew; five step-grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren. Farrell’s parents preceded him in death. Memorials in his memory may be made to Your Story Hour, P.O. Box 15, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103, www.yourstoryhour.org/support-us, where Farrell was a child voice actor for many years.