Hala Marie Gillmore, 72 of Centralia passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
She was born on December 5, 1951, the daughter of Arthur G. and Edith Edna (Kretzer) Groff in Centralia. She married the love of her life, Robert Alan Gillmore on October 12, 1985, in Shattuc and he preceded her in death on December 15, 2016.
Survivors include her one and only son, Daniel (Katlin) Gillmore of Centralia; her cherished grandson, Benjamin Gillmore; her caring siblings, brothers, Darrell Lynn (Donna) Groff of Glenridge, and Lester Eugene (Tammy) Groff of Sandoval; sisters, Linda (Tony) Gazda of Nashville, and Edna (John) During of Centralia; and several special nieces and nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Along with her husband of 31 years, Robert Gillmore, Hala was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Wanda Irene Mayfield; niece, Sherry Jo Mayfield; and nephew, David A. During.
Hala shared her love of learning with grateful students during her dedicated, thirty-year career as a teacher. She was blessed to teach first and second grades, helping her students to grow their confidence at Hoyleton Grade School and Grand Prairie Grade School until her retirement in 2009. She was a teacher’s aide for Irvington Grade School in recent months. Hala was a member of Greenview Christian Church, who shared how walking with Jesus was the greatest joy in her life. She was an avid traveler, appreciating the beauty of new destinations and benefitting from the rest and relaxation her trips would bring. She was proud of her son, Daniel and thankful to be his Mom, glad to make so many memories through life together. She was especially fond of their memories from many adventurous trips to the zoo when Daniel was young. Hala was over the moon to be a grandma and spending time with her grandson, Benjamin, the apple of her eye, brought her immeasurable joy. The importance of her presence in the lives of her family, friends, and students will be the driving force of the way her legacy will continue through generations. Hala’s life was one lived to champion the strengths she saw in others, to lead by example, and to share her love with actions and words.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor John Klockenga officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia where she will be laid to rest by her beloved husband. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home in Centralia. Memorials may be made in Hala’s honor to Greenview Christian Church. Online condolences and memories of Hala may be shared with her family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s
Facebook page.
