Arthur B. "Pete" Gilson II Obituary (1934 - 2023)

Arthur B. "Pete" Gilson II, 88, of Blue Mound, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023, at DMH. Pete was born December 1, 1934, in Springfield, Illinois, the son of Arthur B. and Margaret E. (Roach) Gilson. Pete married Joyce Rudin in Springfield. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve during the Korean War. Pete retired from Norfolk & Southern Railroad after 43 years. He was a member of the Meridian Community Church of God and enjoyed golf, running and spending time with family and friends. Pete is survived by his children Sandra Byard (Matt Edwards) and Arthur B. "Pete" (Annette) Gilson III, brother John Gilson, sisters Peggy (Jim) Blakely and Teena (Ron) Jockisch, grandchildren Nicole Byard, Drake Byard, Natalie (Will) Gibson, Macaela Gilson, Hannah (Brent) Headrick, and Lydia Gilson, and great-grandchildren Nora and Hazel Byard, Gabriella Holder, Maggie and Wilder Gibson as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sister Nancy Gillespie. Memorial services to celebrate Pete's life will be 2:00 PM Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in Blue Mound. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Burial at a later date will be in Roselawn Cemetery in Springfield. Memorials are suggested to the Meridian Community Church of God. Arrangements by Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, 566 N. Railroad Ave. Blue Mound, view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.dawson-wikoff.com.