Burl Vance Gilland, 91, of Baker City, died July 17, 2009.
There will be a private inurnment of his ashes and the ashes of his wife, Benita, at Redmond Memorial Garden.
He was born on June 25, 1918, at a small farmhouse outside of Grant City, Mo. He was the oldest child of Clifford and Mary Margaret Miller Gilland. His mother died during childbirth when he was 4.
Burl married Benita Potter on April 19, 1941, at Oregon, Mo. They were married for 67 years. In 1943, the couple moved to Sisters. Burl began working in the timber industry where he worked until he retired at the age of 62.
Burl and Benita moved to Redmond in 1972 where they lived until moving to Baker City in 2003 to be closer to their beloved daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Delbert Moulton.
Burl was a member of the Baker City Christian Church. He loved to play the guitar, sing, tinker around with projects and grow a wonderful garden. Benita and Burl traveled around the country and especially enjoyed visiting Hawaii twice. They also loved having their relatives visit them. They always had the welcome mat out for everyone.
While living in Sisters Burl was involved in community affairs. He was a member of the Sisters City Council and Volunteer Fire Department. He also served as the fire and police commissioner for several years.
The family expressed appreciation to Meadowbrook Place and Heart ‘n Home Hospice for the loving care they provided.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; infant daughter, Norma Leigh; and four sisters.
Survivors include daughters, Linda Moulton and her husband, Delbert, of Baker City and Anita Colleen Ure and her husband, Steve, of Hooper, Utah, and Sue Mainwaring of Tacoma, Wash.; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heart ‘n Home Hospice through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 22, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
