Robert Carl Gilson, 94, of Port Royal, passed away 8:36 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2019, at his home.
Born Jan. 28, 1925, in Port Royal, he was the son of the late William H. and Margaret (Dysinger) Gilson.
Surviving is his beloved wife, Alice L. (Sheerer) Gilson, whom he married March 4, 1955.
Also surviving are: two sons, Greg Gilson and wife, Kathy, of Mifflin, and Mark I. Gilson and wife, Tracey, of Port Royal; four grandchildren, William H. Gilson, Tyler B. Gilson, Tricia Ecker and Tessa Gilson; and two great-grandchildren, Lexie Gilson and Lindsea Gilson.
The last of his family, Bob was preceded in death by two sisters, Sara Grace Burchfield and Helen G. Macknair, and also by two brothers, Dr. John I. Gilson and F. Laird "Ham" Gilson.
He was a 1943 graduate of the Tuscarora Valley High School.
A veteran of WWII, he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps in Iwo Jima, where he witnessed the American flag raising on Mount Suribachi. He also served with the US Army in the Korean War.
Early in his life, Bob worked in his family?s business, the Port Royal Dairy.
Later, he became an agent with the Washington National Life Insurance Co. After his retirement, he drove bus for the local school district and also served as a funeral attendant at the Rex Funeral Home in Port Royal.
Mr. Gilson was a member of the Port Royal Presbyterian Church.
Also, he belonged to the American Legion and the VFW, both of Mifflintown.
Enjoying the outdoors, Bob was fond of hunting and relished watching his grandchildren playing sports. He also loved walking his favorite dog, Duffy.
His memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at the Port Royal Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Crystal M. Lyde officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the Juniata County Veteran?s Council at the conclusion of the memorial service.
A visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m until the time of the service at the church.
Private burial will take place in the New Church Hill Cemetery, Port Royal.
Memorial donations in Robert?s name may be made to Asera Care Hospice, 1015 Logan Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602, or to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 251, Mifflintown, PA 17059.
Rex Funeral Home, in Port Royal, is in charge of the arrangements.
TWO LOCAL SERVICEMEN MEET IN SIAPAN
Cpl. Robert Gilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Gilson of town and Nelson Ernest, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Ernest of Spruce Hill township, who is serving with the Maritime Marines, recently met on Siapan in a very odd manner.
Cpl. Gilson's outfit is stationed on Siapan and he was driving a truck along the highway when he picked up a member of Nelson's crew and in their conversation he told the Marine that he was from Port Royal, Pa. The Marine immediately told him that one of the men on his ship was from the same place. That evening the Marine took Cpl. Gilson onboard their ship and he and Nelson spent four hours very pleasantly together.
