Wilburn Dean Gulledge, 84, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 11:22 a.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. He was born October 2, 1936 in Maulden, Missouri, a son of the late Herbert “Jake” and Lowetta “Tut” (Stevenson) Gulledge. He married Virginia M. (Phipps) Gulledge on April 4, 1959 in St. Louis, Missouri and she survives.
He retired in 1986 from the Chevrolet Plant in St. Louis after 27 years of dedicated service with General Motors. The United States Army veteran proudly served his country as a paratrooper. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Madison where he had served as a deacon, usher and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Local and was a cherished husband, father and grandfather. He lived his life serving the Lord and worked hard at everything he did. He enjoyed his days of fishing, camping, gardening, playing softball and coaching.
In addition to his beloved wife of 62 years, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Belinda and Robert Grace of Granite City; a son, Russ “Rusty” Gulledge of Edwardsville; four grandchildren and spouses, Amanda and Walt Greathouse, Eric and Nicole Cromer, Abbey Gulledge and Emilee Gulledge; three great-grandchildren, Walter Greathouse, Jackson Greathouse and Ivan Cromer; a sister and brother-in-law, Sherma and Billy Moore of Kewanee, Missouri; sister-in-law, Imogene Suedmeyer of East Prairie, Missouri; sister-in-law; two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Clarence Phipps of New York and Winford and Diane Phipps of Tullahoma, Tennessee; many nieces; nephews; other extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Nathan and Imogene Gulledge and a sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Bill Grigsby.
In celebration of his life, a graveside service will be held at the Dogwood Cemetery in Dogwood, Missouri at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2021 with military honors.
Reverend George White will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Irwin Chapel in Granite City, Illinois in charge of arrangements. www.irwinchapel.com
