Ivan H. Gillham
July 31, 1931 - Dec. 9, 2007

Ivan H. Gillham, 76, of Sterling, died Dec. 9, 2007, in Sterling of Lung Cancer. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at First Baptist Church with the Rev. John E. Roberts officiating. Services will conclude at the church. There will be private family interment.

Ivan was born July 31, 1931, in Sterling, Colo., to Merle M. and Elizabeth M. Gillham. He was a life-long resident of Logan County, living on the farm near Peetz most of his life. Ivan graduated from Peetz High School with the class of 1949. He had the privilege of seeing his grandchildren graduate from the same school as fourth-generation graduates.

He and his wife, Ardith L. Nelson, were married on Oct. 8, 1950, in Peetz. They lived there until they moved to Sterling in June of 2005.

Ivan was an active member of the Peetz community, having served on many boards, including the Co-op Board, various Church Boards, the Peetz Fire Protection District Board and the Peetz School Board. He was a former member of the Lions Club, had served on the Chimney Canyon Grazing Association Board, as well as the FHA Advisory Board.

In 1982, he was honored as the Conservation Farmer of the Year for the Centennial Conservation District, and also as the Conservationist of the Year by the Lower Platte Valley Watershed Association. He retired from farming in 1984 and worked for Logan County as a heavy equipment operator until 1993.

Ivan was a family man, who loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed bowling and took part in all his family's activities. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sterling, where he was an Awana Leader for the fourth and fifth grade boys. He was known as a student of Biblical prophecy, and was also known as a kind, gentle and generous man. He was blessed to have a multitude of close friends and business associates, who were a joy to him.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ardith; two sons, Byron and wife Lori Gillham of Peetz, and Doug and wife Theresa Gillham of Parshall, Colo.; two daughters, Linda and husband Mike Midcap of Wiggins, Colo., and Penny and husband Bruce Thomson of Peetz. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Nathan Gillham and wife Liz of Wray, Colo., Paul Gillham and wife Maria of Sidney, Neb., Jamie Hedges of Sterling, Sarah Reed and husband Jeremy of Aurora, Colo., LeNola Gillham of Sommerville, Ma., Levi Gillham of Tempe, Ariz., and Tre and Bailey Lewis of Peetz. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Jessica and Bruce Taylor, Abagayle Hedges, Isabelle and Owen Gillham and Isaac and Grant Reed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Midcap Taylor and Luke Midcap; and his cousin, Bonnie Reynolds, who was raised in the family home.

Memorials may be made to the NJC Nurses Scholarship Fund.