Virginia (McKee) Gilman

Sullivan,

Virginia McKee Gilman, passed away on 27 February at The Waters at Sullivan Skilled Nursing Facility. Born August 18,1925 to Albert and Verna McKee in Hymera. Virginia was the eldest of five siblings. She graduated from Hymera High School in 1943 and worked for a period of time for the Milwaukee Railroad. She married Robert (Bob) Gilman in 1946 and over the next eight years gave birth to three sons. She began attending Indiana State Teachers College one night per week and became a student there full-time in 1958. In 1962 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Indiana State College with a major in English education and a minor in Health. She did her student teaching at Sullivan High School and was hired as a member of the English department after graduation. She was a classroom teacher for the first few years of her career but completed her Masters Degree in Guidance in 1965 from Indiana State University. Most who knew her during her time at Sullivan High School knew her as a guidance counselor there for 25 years and eventually as the Dean of Girls before her retirement after 28 years at Sullivan High School.

Having lived in Hymera all of her life, Virginia moved to Sullivan in 1972 where she lived on West Wolfe Street. She enjoyed walking across the road to go to work at the high school as well as watching and listening to the sounds of baseball and football games nearby. After her retirement she remained active in Sullivan County Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma educational sorority, and as a volunteer for many years at Sullivan County Community Hospital. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Hymera for many years. Her first love, however, always was her family. Whether it was her children, her grandchildren or, in recent years, her great grandchildren, Virginia was the proud matriarch of an extended family. She was frequently present to witness as many important events as possible in the lives of her loved ones and took pride in their athletic, academic, and professional accomplishments.

Preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Dale McKee and Bill McKee, her sister Beverly Rogers, her husband Bob, and her grandson’s wife, Amanda Gilbert Gilman. Virginia is survived by her sister Nancy Shriner (William), three sons, Robert of Shelburn, Jim (Jeffri) of Bethesda, Maryland, and Terry (Anita) who lives in Farmersburg. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Sarah Bryant (Kevin), Ryan Gilman (Hilary), Andrew Gilman (Aprill), Katy Gilman, Emily Gilman, and Caleb Gilman as well as 8 great grandchildren. She will be missed by all.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to The Waters of Sullivan and Viaquest hospice for their care for Virginia during the last months of her life.

Visitation will take place on Sunday March 3, 2024  from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Holmes Memorial Chapel in Sullivan. The funeral service will be on Monday March 4, 2024 at 11:00 am. with Pastor Jeffrey and Robin Blansett officiating. Burial will follow at K of P cemetery in Hymera.

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