GILLESPIE Rev. Robert B. Gillespie entered eternal life Saturday morning July 30 2011. He was born October 27 1915 in Grand Rapids to Bernard Robert and Mildred (Freeman) Gillespie. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Jack Gillespie; sister Ann Cook-Caston. He is survived by his sister Honey Sosnowski of Florida as well as several nieces and nephews. Father Gillespie attended St. Francis Xavier School in Grand Rapids Raupp Boyton and St. Henry schools in Detroit and St. Michaels school in Flint. He attended Sacred Heart Seminary Detroit as well as Holy Cross and Moreau Seminaries Notre Dame Indiana. He was ordained to the priesthood by Most Reverend Francis J. Haas on December 8 1943 in the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Father ministered in the diocese as Associate Pastor at St. Mary Muskegon; Holy Name of Jesus Grand Rapids; St. Simon Ludington; St. Ann Cadillac; St. Mary Cheboygan; SS Peter and Paul Grand Rapids; St. Francis de Sales Holland; and SS Peter and Paul Ionia. In 1956 Father Gillespie was appointed Pastor of St. Jerome Scottville with St. John Cantius Freesoil. In 1973 he was appointed Pastor of St. Philip Neri Reed City with Mission of St. Ann Paris. He also served as Pastor of St. Bernard Irons and St. Stanislaus Ludington. Father ministered at St. Edward Lake Odessa and St. Mary Grand Rapids as Administrator. After his retirement in 1994 Father Gillespie served the diocese in an on-call capacity. Visitation for Father Gillespie will be on August 3 from 6-8 PM at the OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home 3980 Cascade Rd. SE with a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Thomas the Apostle Church 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE. Father will lie in state one hour prior to the Mass. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice 530 Linn St. #A Allegan MI 49010 or the Carmelite Nuns Discalced 4300 Mt. Carmel Dr. NE Ada MI 49301. May Father Robert Gillespie rest in eternal peace and enjoy the fullness of the glory of the Lord he so faithfully served.
