Mabel R. Gilliland

Mabel R. Gilliland, 92, of Ottawa, passed away, Monday, November 21, 2022, at Rock Creek of Ottawa.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 10:00 A.M., Friday, December 2, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, Ottawa, Kansas.

Family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Cremation is planned. A private family inurnment will be held at Centropolis Cemetery, at a later date.

Mabel was born March 16, 1930, in Williamsburg, Kansas, the daughter of Lloyd J. Sr. and Emeline R. (Pingree) Robbins.

She graduated from Appanoose High School with the class of 1948 and then attended Ottawa University earning a Bachelor of Science in Education. Mabel later attended Kansas University earning a Master’s in Education.

Mabel was united in marriage to Leland “Bud” Gilliland February 26, 1951, at Raton, New Mexico. He preceded her in death on December 29, 2017. From the time Bud and Mabel were married they lived in Centropolis. Upon retiring they moved to Texas living there from 1986 to 2008 then returned to Kansas living in Ottawa since 2008.

Mabel taught school for 30 years from 1950 to 1980 in the Franklin and Douglas County school districts. Many of those years she taught in one-room schoolhouses.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa, Beta Sigma Phi, Alpha Delta Cappa and the Ransom Memorial Auxiliary.

Mabel loved knitting and reading. She enjoyed making Christmas stockings for grandchildren, family and friends and had recently finished her 250th stocking.

Mabel was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four sisters, Florence Gamet, Thelma Dillon, Nina Marie Bainer and Betty Robbins, and brother, Lloyd J. Robbins, Jr.

Survivors include her two children, Robyn Bowman (John) of Ottawa and Leland E. “Gene” Gilliand of Centropolis; four grandchildren, Tracy Leach (Mark) of Baldwin City, Tara Bowman of Ottawa, Brett Gilliland of Kansas City, Missouri, and Dayna Gilliland (Amanda) of Kansas City, Missouri; three great grandchildren, Emma Leach, Anna Leach and Cody Leach all of Baldwin City; great-great-granddaughter, MaKenzie Leach of Baldwin City; sister, Shirley Simmons of Centropolis; nieces, nephews and cousin, Jo Flager of Ottawa.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Northwest Fire District, Centropolis or First United Methodist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.