Don (Hud) E. Gillung, III, son of the late Dorothy (Basinger) MacKenzie was born October 19, 1946 in Brookville, PA. Don passed away on April 14, 2016 at home after a short, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. During his illness, he was comforted by his Christian faith.
Don attended Brookville Area High School. He joined the United States Army Reserves in 1965 and served for six years. He was a Sergeant First Class upon his Honorable Discharge and he had earned the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge.
He was married to Deborah (Cook) Gillung in May of 1969. They had two beautiful children together. Although they separated in marriage, they remained close friends and partners in raising their children. Don was married to Dawn (Cable) Gillung, his best friend, on October 1, 2005. She survives Don.
Don loved many things in life especially spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and dogs. He had many hobbies and especially enjoyed jeep and RC car racing, as well as designing and assembling alcohol fueled racing engines for dirt track, off road, and drag racing. He loved writing short stories, genealogy, and history. He was a jack of all trades and a master of them all as well. He was wonderful at carpentry, woodworking, and fixing anything. He loved to share stories and made friends with anyone that he ever met. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 983, the Firemen’s Club, and the Brookville Historical Center. Don had a contagious smile, beautiful sparkling blue eyes, and a laugh that will never be forgotten.
Don was also very devoted to his work. He started his career as a Machinist at Miller Welding and Machine Company in 1967. In 1971, Don left MWM and began a long career with the railroad. He worked for Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad, Lake Erie, Franklin, and Clarion Railroad, Allegheny Railroad, and Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (a Genesee& Wyoming Company). After retiring from the railroad in 2006, Don joined Brookville Equipment Corporation as a Locomotive Applications Specialist. He retired in 2013. He loved his work and had the opportunity to travel around the world doing what he loved. He had lasting friendships with his co-workers and was a mentor to many.
His beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of his children: Amber (Brett) Siar of Brookville and Tim (Amy) Gillung of Brookville. His step-children, Brandy (Ben) Carrier of Brookville, Buck (Erin) McKillip of Brookville, and Brett McKillip of Clearfield. His siblings: Brenda Booser of Brookville, Susan (Bill) Davis of Frederick, MD, Robert (Brenda) MacKenzie of Brookville, and Greg (Angie) MacKenzie of Brookville. His beloved grandchildren: Corinne, Blake, and Ella Siar, Carter Gillung, Megan Blake, Emily Guy, Lillie Wilson, Devin and Autumn Dickey, Parker and Brant McKillip, Brett, Kent, and Breanna Carrier. His numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as many special friends. We cannot forget his trusty pup sidekicks: Bubs and Winston.
A private graveside committal service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 2 pm at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Knox Township. A memorial dinner will be held at the Richardsville Social Center with doors opening at 3 pm. All friends and family welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oncology Hematology Association of Northern PA at 100 Hospital Avenue, DuBois PA 15801, to the Brookville History Center at 172 Main Street, Brookville PA 15825, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Furlong Funeral Home Gregory K. Furlong FD, corner of Broad St. and First Ave., Summerville, PA. (www.furlongfuneralhome.com)
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