RUSSELL D. GILLILAND
October 28, 1936 - February 4, 2018

MINFORD —Russell D. Gilliland, 81, of Minford, passed away Sunday, February 4, 2018 surrounded by his loving family.

Born October 28, 1936 in Tuttleville, Harrison Township, a son of the late Adrian "Pete" C. and Murial L. Crabtree Gilliland, he was a lifetime farmer, he farmed over 1000 acres of beans and corn. 

He was a real estate developer on Luther Road, Township Supervisor for Madison Township for 9 years, was the President of the Ohio Chapter of National Tractor Pulls, Inc., was President and Charter member of Teays Valley Tractor Pulls, Inc., and won many pulls all over Eastern USA and Canada.

He was a former employee of Detroit Steel for 25 years, restored antique farm toys for R-Farm Toys, was a former employee of Allen's Auctions in Minford, driver and salesman for John Deere-Case Farm Equipment dealer in Lucasville, was a truck driver for Transport Technology in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

As a young man he attended Harrison Mills Church of Christ in Christian Union and was a member of Sunshine Church of Christ. He enjoyed flea marketing and auctions. Russell was an avid Scioto County and Minford area History buff. He was very interested in the new highway and took a plane ride over the length of the new road.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sarah Kallner Gilliland, whom he attended Minford Schools with for 12 years. Russell declared from the 4th grade that Sarah would be his wife; one son, Douglas Russell Gilliland of Wheelersburg; two daughters, Tisha Ann Mizer of Dayton, Terri Young of Minford; five grandchildren, Daryl Young, Kyle (Lori) Gilliland, Shaun (Irish) Young, Jessica (Cody) Compton and, Amy Gilliland; six great grandchildren, Eric Young, Brianna Young, Ashleigh Young, Matthew Young, Allyson Young, Kinlee Compton; three sisters, Wanda Smith of Wheelersburg, Doris (Ronald) Riddlebarger of Wheelersburg, and Helen Burton of Memphis, TN, a special sister-in-law, Ruth White of Minford, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Erma Bender and Dorothy Cade.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford with Minister Jason Coriell officiating. Burial will be Gilliland Family Cemetery in Minford. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.