John Gillen

John M. Gillen, age 100, of Faribault and formerly of Medford, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault.    Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Medford. Interment will be held at the Resurrection Cemetery, Medford.    Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to services.    The family prefers that memorials be directed to Christ the King Catholic Church in Medford or to the donor's choice.    John Michael, the son of Sebastian and Cecelia (Wagner) Gillen, was born on September 2, 1911 in New Market, MN. On November 27, 1934 he was united in marriage to Florence Durand at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Faribault. After their marriage they farmed west of Medford until 1956, when they sold their farm as work on Interstate 35 began and moved to the Brainerd, MN area. John worked different jobs for a few years and in 1959 they moved back to Owatonna and John started a 17 year career with Federated Insurance Company. He retired in 1977 and he and Florence moved to Pelican Lake, near Merrifield, to enjoy their retirement. Florence preceded him in death on May 22, 1994 and at that time John moved back to Faribault and has been a resident at Realife Cooperative ever since. John was known for driving school bus for 15 years and serving on the Medford School Board for 20 years. John was a member of the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles, the St. Lawrence/Catholic Aid Association, and the Faribault Senior Center, where he loved to go and play cards with everyone.    He is survived by his daughter, Janet (Dick) McLeod of Rochester, MN and by his son, Michael Gillen of Atlanta, GA; by six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; by his son in law, Jack Beabout of Rochester, MN; by two brothers, Adrian (Jeanne) Gillen of Faribault, MN and Joe (Lorraine) Gillen of New Richmond, WI; by three sisters, Rita Franke of Bloomington, MN, Luella Heim of Medford, MN and Joanne (Jim) Cortese of Ellensburg, WA and by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two sons, Robert and Richard Gillen, by his daughter, Jeanne Beabout, by his sister Anne Thissen and by three brothers, Ambrose, Greg and Edward Gillen.