Oscar "Gil" Gildemann

December 07, 1921 - July 16, 2009

Oscar "Gil" Gildemann Obituary Oscar passed away on July 16, 2009 in Spokane due to complications following a stroke with his wife at his side. He was born on December 7, 1921 in Monongahela, Pennsylvania to immigrant parents Oscar and Marie (Palm) Gildemann, who came to the U.S. from Estonia in the early 20th Century. Oscar married Lula Marie Meadows on April 1, 1953 near Fredericksburg, Virginia. He then pursued his professional interests in radio and television, which eventually led him to KWSU in Pullman, Washington, where he worked for 25 years as a radio and television broadcast engineer. Prior to that, he had worked on both sides of the country as a radio disk jockey (at stations WCVA, KTMS and others). Gil?s early interests in life centered on photography, as he particularly enjoyed taking photos of his family. He also enjoyed traveling, and drove across the country numerous times over the years to explore the beautiful countryside and interesting towns and cities along the way. He loved to discuss his views and ideas about current events, politics, science, and geography with other people. We?ll all profoundly miss his optimism, keen wit, and unique perspective of the world that he brought to our lives. Gil is survived by his wife Lula; daughters Melody Faris, Merrily McPherson, and Melinda Utz; sons Gregg and Glenn; sons-in-law Philip Faris, James McPherson and James Utz; daughter-in-law Annette Gildemann; grandchildren Paul and Beth Faris, Randy and Grace Faris Kalista, Eric and Sara McPherson, and Aron McPherson, Alissa, Clara, and Mattias Gildemann, Jackson and Julia Utz; and great-granddaughters Shelby and Brianna McPherson. He was preceded in death by sisters Ida Smith, Jeane McKimson, and infant sister Koidula; brother William Graff; and grandson Nathaniel Gildemann. Viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 22 from 3:00-5:00pm and a memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 23 at 11:00am, both at Heritage Funeral Home (508 N. Government Way) in Spokane. A graveside service will immediately follow at 2:30pm at Pullman Cemetery in Pullman, Washington.