Raymond F. Gilman

Funeral services for Raymond F. Gilman, 78, Mankato, MN, formerly of Fairmont will be held Wednesday, October 12th, 2005 at 10:30 am at Zaharia Family Funeral and Cremation Service of Fairmont with Rev. Neil Christopherson officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Fairmont with full military honors by the Martin County VFW Post 1222 and Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5-7:00 pm at Zaharia Family Funeral and Cremation Service of Fairmont. Mr. Gilman died Saturday evening, October 8th, 2005 at the Oaklawn Health Care Center, Mankato, MN. Raymond Franklin Gilman was born on September 23rd, 1927 in Fairmont, MN to George and Jesse Leona (Cardwell) Gilman. He attended school in Fairmont. Ray was drafted into the US Army in 1945. On June 6th, 1948 Ray married Margaret Elaine Stromberg. They made their home in Fairmont. Raymond was a truck driver for Mayflower Moving Company for many years. Margaret died in 1978. Ray then moved to Chicago, ILL. On February 17th, 1979 Ray married Camille Spoto in Chicago. They lived in Chicago; Odessa, TX; Springfield, ILL; and McHenry, ILL. Ray was a self-employed locksmith in the Chicago area. He retired in 1990. Camille died in 1995. In January of 2004, Ray moved to Mankato, MN and resided at the Oaklawn Health Care Center. Raymond was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Fairmont and a lifetime member of the Martin County VFW Post 1222. Ray enjoyed stamp collecting. Raymond is survived by two sons, David Gilman and his wife Joni of Lake Crystal, MN and Bradley Gilman of Centennial, CO and one grandson, Alexander, Lake Crystal, MN. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; four brothers, Earl, George, Harry and Clarence; and two sisters, Eva and Marie. Memorial contributions may be given to the Salvation Army.