Randolph P. Gillespie

ESCANABA — Randolph P. Gillespie, age 80, of Escanaba, passed away June 29, 2025, at 5:18 a.m. at MeadowBrook Nursing Home in Oconto Falls, WI. He was born in Escanaba on April 24, 1945, the youngest son of Basil and Irma (Harbath) Gillespie. He was a graduate of Escanaba High School, class of 1964. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1965-1969. He loved bowling, hunting, fishing, and metal detecting

On March 4, 1967, he married his childhood sweetheart, Donna Polkey. They raised their two boys in the Pine Ridge area, Todd and Travis, both of Wisconsin. Randy was employed at Mead Paper until his retirement in 2005.

He was a member of the Amvets of Ishpeming, the DAV, and Vietnam Nam vets of Escanaba.

Randolph P. Gillespie is survived by his wife, Donna; two sons, Todd (Erin) Gillespie of Union Grove, Wis. and Travis (Brenda) Gillespie of Bellevue, Wis.; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; one sister, Janice (Robert) Therrian, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Randy was preceded in death by his older brother Bradford and sister Carol Savage.

A military service will be held in Randy’s honor on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 1 p.m. It will be held at the Edgewood Recreation Center, 1620 Willow Creek Road, Escanaba, Mich. The service will be conducted by the Delta County Veteran’s Counsel assisted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. A luncheon will be held following the veteran’s service.

The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Gillespie family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.