Harold G. Gillison

Harold G. Gillison, 74, of Highland, IL, passed away on Monday, October 19, 2026, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.

He was born on April 29, 1952, in East St. Louis, IL, to Harold T. and Bobbie (nee Simmons) Gillison.

Harold grew up in Illinois where he attended and graduated from the Granite City School District with the Class of 1970. He later attended Belleville Area College in Belleville, IL where he received an Associate of Science Degree in 1991, and was just one semester short of a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

He grew up in church where he developed a lifelong love for music and knew the Bible from beginning to end. He especially loved to play the drums. He has always been a hard worker and began working his first job at just 11 years old, delivering newspapers.

Harold had a work ethic like no other, working with cancer up until the day he was hospitalized for surgery. He spent most of his young adult life working for Kerr McGee in Madison, IL, taking early retirement in 2003. He then worked for Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, MO, and was very proud of his time there. Harold moved to Highland, IL in 2012, and fell in love with both the town, the people and the many friends he made there. Soon after, he began working for the Highland School District as a custodian until retirement, and most recently worked part-time for Aramark Food Service at HCUSD #5.

Harold loved his children and grandchildren deeply, and was raising his granddaughter Abby. He enjoyed watching football with his daughter, Cardinals baseball, and anything that involved his grandkids. Fishing was one of his favorite hobbies, especially when his son and grandchildren were by his side. He was never short on words and loved to tell a joke.

You never saw Harold when he wasn’t wearing his cowboy boots. He took great pride in his ability to walk 3-5 miles around Highland every night possible while wearing them, even past age of 70.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold T. and Bobbie Gillison; and grandson, Nathaniel Spiroff.

Harold is survived by his children, Cherie (Christopher) Spiroff of Collinsville, IL, Amy Zielinski of Highland, IL, and Josh (Tiffany) Gillison of Alhambra, IL; grandchildren, Andrew (Taylor) Spiroff, Matthew Spiroff, Christian Spiroff, Cory (Kelsey) Fea, Abigail “Abby” Gillison, Adam Gillison, Lilyanna “Lily” Gillison, and Leah Gillison; great grandchildren, Everly Spiroff, Lucas Spiroff, and Avery Hay; sisters, Terry (Mark) Murphy of Greenville, IL, Brenda (Bill) McElroy of Pierron, IL, and Judy Watkins of Granite City, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Harold wanted memorial donations to be made to his family to help with funeral expenses and his granddaughter, Abby’s, future. Checks can be made out to his son, Josh Gillison.

Memorial Visitation: Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, at First Congregational Church, Highland, IL

Memorial Service: Thursday, October 29, 2026, 1:00 pm, at First Congregational Church, Highland, IL

Clergy: Rev. Rich Cook, Pastor

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL