Frederick (Fritz) Gilliland

Frederick (Fritz) Gilliland Sr., 80, of Linesville, passed away Thursday, February 7, 2013, at the Meadville Medical Center after a one year period of declining health.

Born April 17, 1932, in Linesville, he was the son of Kenneth Sr. and Elizabeth Linn Gilliland. He married Margaret Gray on August 20, 1955 at the South Harborcreek United Methodist Church.

He was a member of the Linesville United Methodist Church.

Frederick joined the National Guard in 1949 and then entered the U.S. Army on September 5, 1950 and was honorable discharged in 1952. He served with the 112 infantry the 28 ^th division of heavy motor company that was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict.

He worked for Britton Construction of Harmonsburg, was a semi-truck driver for Kaplan and was self-employed gas well maintenance in Erie, Crawford and Ashtabula Counties. Also, he had worked for Cohens auto parts and Bairs Corvettes in Linesville. For 5 years he worked part time for the Linesville Police Department.

Since 1961, he was a lifetime member of the Linesville Fire Department. He was assistant fire chief for 5 years and fire chief for 9 years. During his time as chief he was involved in building a new fire building, started the ambulance service, served on the board of directors and was also the forest fire warden in Linesville.

He loved watching auto racing. Frederick went to many dirt tracks and watched sprint car racing and late model racing. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving wife 57 years, Margaret Gilliland; two sons, Eugene Curtis Gilliland and his wife, Kate, of Linesville and Frederick Harry Jr. and his fiancé Julie Biebel of Cambridge Springs; a daughter, Lynn Ann Lewandowski and her husband, Aaron, of Meadville; four grandchildren, Travis Gilliland of Greensboro, Maryland, Sydney, Camaron, Olivia and Gunnar Lewandowski all of Meadville; a brother, Carl Gilliland and his wife, Janice, of Norrisville; and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Brain Frederick and Thomas Allen Gilliland; two grandchildren, Samantha Jean and Matthew Gene; four brothers, Clyde, Kenneth, Peter and Billy Gilliland; a sister, Betty Troup; and several nephews.

Calling hours will be Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U. S. Highway 6, Linesville. Additional calling will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

A funeral service will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Dennis Lawton of the Linesville United Methodist Church officiating.

Burial will be private in Linesville Cemetery.

Memorials contributions may be made to the Linesville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 55 or the Linesville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 86, both of Linesville, Pa 16424.

Please share a condolence for the family at royalcolemanfuneralhome.com.