James Gillin

James M. “Jim” Gillin, 56, of Bettendorf, Iowa, went to his Heavenly Home on Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf after a courageous battle with thyroid cancer.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Bettendorf.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services on Wednesday at the church.  Burial with military honors conducted by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 299 will be in Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois.  Memorials may be made to the church or to the family.  McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jim was born in Davenport, Iowa on October 23, 1958, the son of John & Theresa (Opremchak) Gillin.  He lived in Princeton, Iowa from 1965 to 1974 and then moved to Bettendorf with his family where he graduated from Bettendorf High School.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1978 serving in the United States, Germany, Korea and Guantanamo Bay as a Military Policeman.  He retired in 1998 after 20 years of service and returned to live in Bettendorf.

He was formerly employed by Per Mar and Pinkerton as a security guard at Alcoa.  He was employed at the United States Postal Service for the past 8 years.

Those left to honor his memory include his mother, Theresa Gillin; his sister, Janice Gillin; his brothers, Mike (Debbie) Gillin and her son, Sam, all of Bettendorf; Patrick Gillin of Wyoming; his nephew, Jamin (Yessi) Cauthen; a great-niece expected in December; his brother-in-law, Ira Cauthen; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins; and his best friend, Karl Lantzsky.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Gillin; his sister, Cynthia Gillin Cauthen; and his grandparents.

Jim’s family would like to thank his wonderful and caring doctors, the medical staff at University Hospitals in Iowa City and his co-workers at the post office for all the many prayers, caring and kindness offered during his illness and passing.

A special thank you to his sister, Janice for her care to Jim during his illness.  The family would also like to give a heartfelt thank you to Genesis VNA and the hospice nurses and staff of the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

Jim will be remembered as a dedicated solider to his country and for his continued dedication through his years of public service.