Purn Leroy Gillam

Purn Leroy Gillam of Davisville, Missouri passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at the age of 79 years, 4 months and 29 days. He was born January 16, 1938 in Courtois, Missouri to Cloan and Clara Keffer Gillam. On October 25, 1958 in Steelville, he was united in marriage to Deloris Brooks and to this union three sons and three daughters were born.

Purn worked in St. Louis for a few years at the shipyard. Later, he became employed at Doe Run in 1964 until 1999 when he retired. Throughout the years, he continued to farm and plant a garden. He always enjoyed sharing his garden produce with his neighbors and friends. Purn was a fireman for the Viburnum Fire District and became the fire chief and later a board member. He was a member of the Davisville Assembly of God for several years. He also enjoyed taking care of his neighbors, especialy Marie Bonner and checking to see if she was alright. If anyone needed help with anything, Purn was there to fix their farm equipment or whatever their need was. At one time during a strike at the mines, he spent time building fence. In earlier years, Purn loved to run and later in years, he enjoyed taking long walks. He also used to enjoy bowling, fishing and hunting. While their children were growing up, he taught them how to camp, call up turkeys and find mushrooms. As a family, they spent many nights and days at their cabin on the Gasconade River.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Homer Gillam, Herman Gillam and wife Claudie, Loman Gillam and wife Shirley and Howard Gillam and wife Shirley; six sisters, Ona Britton and husband Scott, Irene Blair and husband Arlie, Alene Draper and husband Arthur, Lucille Reeves and husband Vincent, Bessie Henslee and husband Eddie and Thelma Maxwell and husband George; one grandchild, David William Gillam; and one great-grandson, Eric Kelly.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of fifty-eight years, Deloris Gillam of Davisville, MO; six children, Jerry Gillam Holland of Davisville, MO, Elsie Stites and husband Paul, Dennis Gillam and wife Jena` and Sandy Richter and husband Bob all of Steelville, MO, David Gillam and wife EveMae of Viburnum, MO and Richard Gillam and wife Lisa of Davisville, MO; one sister, Anna Mae Vance of Czar Tower, MO; twenty-two grandchildren, Katina Holland, Ronnie Holland II, Crystal Maguire, Amber Holland, Amy Sutton, Jared Stites, Jenny Ware, Jessy Stroup, Chris Kirby, Dannielle Gillam, Ashley Gillam, Robbie Richter, Nicole Gurley, Ross Richter, Rachael Kelly, Alan Gillam, Richy Gillam, April Gillam, Waylen Gillam, Kristen Walker, Courtney Alvey and Tamra Tudor; thirty-five great-grandchildren; other relatives, many friends and his loving little companion, Chewy, his dog.

The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special music of "Mansion Over the Hilltop" and "I'll Fly Away" was sung by Lena Medley and Anna Edgar accompanied on piano by Geraldine Sherrill. Other music of "Daddy's Hands" was played.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Davisville Cemetery, Davisville, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were Ronnie Holland II, Jared Stites, Robbie Richter, Alan Gillam, Richy Gillam and Ross Richter with Waylen Gillam as honorary.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

 Service Information