Roger Gillingham

Roger D. Gillingham, 91, of Washington, IN, passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Bridgepointe Health Campus in Vincennes, IN.

He was born on March 2, 1933, in Erie, PA, the son of Harry E. and June G. (Sternberg) Gillingham. He married Sue (Whitlock) Gillingham of Vincennes on Feb. 18, 1956, at Bainbridge, MD, and was by her side for 64 years until her death on July 21, 2020.

Roger graduated from Millcreek High School in Erie in 1951 and promptly joined the U.S. Navy, commencing a lifelong work in public service. Over his 25-year naval career he served in both Korea and Vietnam, and received training at the Supply Corps Officers School in Athens, GA, from August, 1958 to March, 1959. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School In Monterey, CA, in June, 1967.

Roger served aboard several ships, most notably the USS Beale (DDE-471) from April, 1959, to July, 1960, and the USS Chilton (LPA-38) from July, 1967 to July, 1969. He then served until July of 1972 on the Board of Inspection and Survey out of Washington D.C. His enlistment ended on Dec. 1, 1976 with his retirement at the rank of Lt. Commander and the uncommon distinction of "mustang," someone who enters the service as an enlisted person and retires as a fully commissioned officer.

Roger is survived by his seven children, Richard R. (Phyllis) Gillingham of Greenfield, IN, Robert E. Gillingham of Longmont, CO, Ronald M. (Karen) Gillingham of Yorktown, VA, Russ E. (Bartty Adams) Gillingham of Front Royal, VA, Thomas R. (Jamie) Gillingham of Vincennes, S. Renee (Rebecca Gardner) Gillingham of Sewickley, PA, Rory E. Gillingham of Erie, PA, and daughter-in-law Margaret E. (Litherland) Gillingham of Oceanside, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Darlene Y. (Gillingham) Johnson of Waterford, PA, and Gwendlynne P. (Gillingham) Eisert of Erie.

Please see the full obituary at Goodwin Sievers Funeral Home Website. www.goodwinsieversfh.com.