Curtis Everett Gillespie, 82, of Chase, Kansas, passed away August 9, 2024, at his home with his family by his side. He was born October 20, 1941, in Warsaw, Missouri, the son of Robert and Margaret (Mezzacasa) Gillespie. Curtis was a lifelong Chase resident. He graduated from Chase High School, with the class of 1959.
Curtis was a pipeline supervisor for Texaco-Kaw Pipeline. He was a member of the Chase Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge of Kansas, and Striped Bass Association of Kansas. Curtis started and taught Hunter Safety Classes in Chase. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, building homes, riding 4-wheelers, and traveling. On June 25, 1960, Curtis was united in marriage with Nelda Hughlene Kinslow in Chase.
He is survived by his wife, Nelda of Chase, KS; three children, Pam Patterson and husband Chuck of St. John, KS, Carl Gillespie and wife Rhonda of Chase, KS, and Rhonda Flickinger and husband Brad of Sterling, KS; sister, Ottavia Ludwick of Sterling, KS; good friend, Max Tharp of Eureka, KS; seven grandchildren, Charlie Patterson, Dustin Patterson (Kayla), Brandi Larson (Keith), Tony Andrews (Jessica), Michelle Mawhirter (Cole), Kyle Gillespie (Rebekah), and Kacey Andrews (Kylie); and sixteen great-grandchildren.
Curtis is preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Dale Gillespie, Robert “Buck” Gillespie, William “Bill” Gillespie, Herman “Slick” Gillespie, and John Gillespie; and five sisters, Mary Neal, Edith Orster, Minnie “Midget” Wheeler, Goldie “Nip” Gates, and Betty Gillespie.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M., Monday, August 12, 2024, at the Chase High School Gym, with Pastor Rob Bolton officiating. Burial will follow at the Chase Springdale Cemetery, Chase, with masonic rites. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M., Sunday, August 11, 2024, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with family present. Memorials may be given to Gentiva Hospice or USD 401 (for a scholarship fund in Curtis’s memory) in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.