Carl R. Gilmore

           Carl R. Gilmore, 81, of Brightwood, died early Wednesday morning of March 14, 2018 at Cleveland Clinic. He was born on July 13, 1936 to the late Walter “Joe” and C.Leona (Hines) Gilmore in Port Washington, Ohio. Carl was a lifelong resident of the Gnadenhutten area. He graduated from Gnadenhutten High School in 1954 and was very involved with the town of Gnadenhutten, serving on various council committees and even working as a police officer for a while. He was a lifetime member of the Gnadenhutten Methodist Church. He worked for and retired from Gradall Manufacturing in 1998. Carl enjoyed fishing and being outdoors, what he called “My Cathedral”.

            Carl was also very active in sports throughout his life. Carl’s senior year of high school he was the top scorer in basketball for Tuscarawas County, and was also selected for the all-star team. After high school he continued to play on county softball and baseball teams playing his last game at 59 years old. He became a member of the Cy Young Old-timer’s Hall of Fame in 1991.

            In 1959, Carl was approached by the Pittsburgh Pirates to try out for the team, and he turned it down to join the U.S. Military. He felt very strongly that it was his duty to serve his country. Carl was a member of the Army Chemical Core from 1959 to 1961 and also served on an active reserve unit from 1961 to 1963. He was discharged from the military in 1965. Carl was a member of the Gnadenhutten American Legion, he gave speeches during the Memorial Day activities at the Gnadenhutten Cemetery, and he made sure that all deceased veterans had flags at their grave sites in five different cemeteries.

            Carl is survived by his wife of sixty years, Shirley M. (Kinsey) Gilmore, whom he married on June 27, 1957. Also surviving are three children; Carl J. Gilmore and Michael Smith of Rancho Mirage, California, Richard Allen (Debbie) Gilmore of Gnadenhutten, and Beth Ann (Andrew) Gano of Stone Creek, four grandchildren; Jacob Gilmore, Emily, Andrea, and Andrew Gano, and several nieces and nephews.

            Along with his parents, Carl is preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Emma Jane and Dick Tilton.

            Services for Carl will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church with Pastor Gregg Kelly officiating. Burial will follow in the West Union Cemetery, Gilmore, Ohio with Military Honors being performed by the Newcomerstown Honor Guard. Calling hours, also at the Methodist church, will be Friday, March 16, 2018 from 5 PM to 8 PM and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church, PO Box 37, Gnadenhutten, Ohio 44629 or the charity of the donor’s choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carl R. Gilmore, please visit our floral store.