LeRoy W. Gillispie, 70, of Mendota, formerly of Earlville and Sandwich, died March 31, 2015, in Mendota Lutheran Home with his family by his side.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota, with the Rev. Michael Morrell officiating. Burial will be at Millington-Newark Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.
Mr. Gillispie was born Feb. 13, 1945, in Chicago to William R. and Marguerite (Huetson) Gillispie. He attended Sandwich High School and served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was a member of Mendota VFW Post 4079 and Ottawa Moose Lodge 960.
He was very involved with country and western music as a drummer and performed with opening acts to such country stars as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Donna Fargo, Janie Fricke, Billy "Crash" Craddock and other acts. He was employed by Knoedler Mfg. in Streator, Del Monte and Bay Valley Foods in Mendota and also by Freedom Township road commissioner.
He is survived by two daughters, Jennifer (Jason) Donahue and Julie (Dave Wilson) Tucker, both of Mendota; six grandchildren, Pfc. Cera Donahue, Pvt. Halie Donahue and Rubi Donahue, Caitlyn Tucker, Garett Tucker and Dylan Tucker; three sisters, Sandra Stanford of Mendota, Carrie Gillispie of Cherry and Brenda Gillispie of Sandwich.
He was preceded by his parents; one grandson, Jacob; and one brother, Warren.
Memorials may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established.