Edward Wayne Gill

March 19, 1922 – Dec. 3, 2022

Edward Wayne Gill of Crawfordsville passed away Saturday at the age of 100.

Born March 19, 1922 in Crawfordsville, he was the son of Robert Gill and Emma Sering Gill. 

He graduated from Crawfordsville High School.  He married Helen Swisher Gill on Nov. 9, 1946 in Kokomo.  She passed away Oct. 7, 2007.

He was a member of Woodland Heights Christian Church, the American Legion, where he served as commander, 40 & 8, Disabled Vets and VFW.

In 1942, when he was 20 years old, he joined the Marine Corps and served three years during World War II.  He served in Guam and was wounded on Iwo Jima.  He witnessed the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. He was honored with a Purple Heart.

He worked 26 years at the power and light company as an operator on the main board. He also did plumbing, carpentry work and helped build the gazebo at Lane Place.

At age 74 he began running the 100-yard dash.  He ran in 16 races in his area, and won 14 of them.  He also participated in the Arizona Senior Olympics.

His grandson, Tyler, wrote in a second-grade essay -20 years ago- about his hero “My papaw is special to me because he teaches me how to be nice to others and help in my community.”  That was how Eddie Gill lived his life.

Survivors include his daughter, Linda Gowin (Terry) of Crawfordsville; daughter-in-law, Carol Gill of California; grandson, Ben Gowin (Jennie) of Greenwood; granddaughter, Deann Wolfe (Johnny) of California; six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 61 years; one brother; two sisters; son, William “Bill” Gill; and a grandson, Edward Andrew “Andy” Gowin.

Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Burkhart Funeral Home.  Services will begin at Noon, with military honors.  Pastor Steve Wilke will then officiate services.  Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery North.

Donations may be made to the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, 1104 Big Four Arch Road, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 or Woodland Heights Christian Church, 468 N. Woodland Heights Drive, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.