Nathaniel Jay Gillihan of Springfield MO passed away October 31 at 2:20 am at his parents’ home in O’Fallon, MO.
He was born July 28, 1979 in Florissant, MO, the son of John and Rosetta Gillihan of St. Peters, MO.
Nate was a 1997 graduate of Francis Howell High School in St. Charles County, MO. He attended Lewis & Clark, Area Vocational Technical School. Nate enjoyed volunteering for Special Olympics, St. Jochim and Ann, and SCARC. He participated in the St. Charles County Personal Enrichment Program (PEP) and other Community- Living activities including work training, job shadowing and day camps. He was employed at Boone Center Inc. (BCI) in St. Peters until 2007, when his family moved to Webster County, MO. He was then employed by Web-Co Custom Industries in Marshfield until 2011.
The last 4 years, he volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, Red Racks, the Library, and CrossLines Food Pantry in Springfield through K&C Stepping Stones. Later he volunteered only at CrossLines working there 3 to 5 days weekly, often bringing his Self Directed Service assistant Patsy Climer or Connie Malone to work too. He even got his twin brother involved. Nate loved helping people and being useful in the community. In addition to stocking, helping food-pantry clients, and training new volunteers, he began fundraising for both Stepping Stones and CrossLines. He set up bowling tournaments and participated in garage sales, auctions, and chili cook-offs.
Nate loved Special Olympics and had competed in many events for more than 20 years. He also loved Bowling and had been doing that for more than 30 years. He was a loving son and brother and tried to set a good example for his younger cousins. He loved eating out, going to Silver Dollar City to see the shows and ride the train, and going to Ride the Ducks and piloting the DUKW on the lake at least once yearly.
Nate is survived by his parents John and Rosetta Gillihan of O’Fallon, his older brother John and wife Shannon of Wentzville, and his twin brother Christopher (Kit) of Springfield—his lifelong pal and co-conspirator. Also he leaves many, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family, friends, and co-workers across the U.S.A.
Visitation for Nate will be on Saturday, November 4 from 5 to 7 pm at
Greenlawn Funeral Home South,
441 W. Battlefield
Springfield MO 65807
There will be a memorial Service held in St. Charles County, MO at a later date.
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