Fillmore Spillman

Fillmore "Fillie" Albert Valentine Spillman, age 91, formerly of Stanton, MN passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, February 18, 2011 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, MN. He was born on May 15, 1919, the third of four children, to Henry H. and Anna K. (Goebel) Spillman in Stanton Township, Goodhue County, MN. He was a lifetime member of First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, MN. He attended and graduated from Randolph Public School in 1936. Fillie joined the U.S. Army in July, 1941 and was stationed in Kansas City, expecting to serve for one year. The advancement of WWII changed his plans and he was one of the first men, along with Bill Daniels, from Goodhue County inducted in 1942. He was advanced to the position of Sergeant as a tank and jeep mechanic in the 776th Amphibious Tank Battalion in the Pacific, including the Marshall Islands, Philippines and Okinawa. He received an Honorable Discharge on December 19, 1945. He remained active in the local VFW organization until the mid 1990s. Fillie was a dairy farmer by trade, but his great love was mechanics. If he wasn't in the field or the barn, you could find him under a tractor or other piece of machinery. If it didn't need repairing, then he was figuring out how it worked or how to make it more efficient! He and his brother, Roger farmed side by side, day by day until Roger's retirement in 1995. Fillie sold his farming business to his son, Gary, in 1986, but he continued as chief mechanic on the farms because his love for mechanics and metal works never ended. In the early 1950's, Fillie met Ruth Gesme at Coates Pavilion. They were married June 11, 1955 at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls. They made their home on a farm just east on Stanton on Hwy 19. Together, they raised their children with strong family and Christian values. Ruth passed away December 9, 1990. When not farming, Fillie enjoyed attending gatherings with family and friends, reading, and dancing. Fillmore is survived by his three children, Cynthia (Donald) Davis of Farmington, MN, Karen (Marc) Slininger of Randolph, MN, and Gary (Penny) Spillman of Stanton, MN; eight grandchildren, Jennifer (James) Garrett, Diana Schaffer (fiancé, Mike Waltman), Lisa (Jonis) Chavis, Philip Slininger, Kelly (Lucas) Kramer, Douglas Spillman, Anne Spillman (fiancé, Matt Shoemaker), and Michael Spillman; two great-granddaughters, Lillian Garrett and Jaelyn Chavis; and many nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Anna; his wife, Ruth; two brothers, Roland and Roger (Rose) Spillman; sister, Verona (George) Radke; and special cousin, Elsie (Wesley) Jenson. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. at the First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, with Pastor Phillip Ruud officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Cannon Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. There will also be visitation at the church for one hour prior to services at church on Wednesday.

Funeral Home: Lundberg Funeral Home 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd Cannon Falls, MN US 55009

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Graveside Service
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Service
Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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