Roger O. Gillespie, 68, of Whitewood, SD, passed away after a long hard-fought battle with Covid, on Monday, December 27, 2021, at Monument Health Rapid City, SD.

Roger was born in Deadwood, SD, on February 15, 1953, to Gordon and Allevia Gillespie. He was the 3 ^rd of 7 children. Roger attended all 13 years of school in Spearfish. He graduated from Spearfish High school in 1971.

Roger had a variety of jobs starting with paper delivery, which he rode his bike to deliver to Upper and Lower valley of Spearfish, Safeway, Garhart Sawmill, Hubbard Milling, Homestake Sawmill, Pope and Talbot, and retiring in 2019, from Nieman Sawmill. He worked in sawmills for over 47 years.

Roger loved fishing summer and ice, golfing, and hunting. Rog was also ready and willing to help anyone with projects from building decks, installing windows, putting flooring down, water heaters, working on cars, just being Papa to his 8 grandkids, and being with family and friends.

Roger married Sandy Cooper on May 19, 1973.

Roger is survived by his wife, Sandy; three children: Clint (Sonya) Gillespie, of Sundance, WY, Shannon (Rod) Heikes, of Sturgis, SD, and Steve (Deza) Gillespie, of Sturgis, SD; eight grandchildren, Wyatt, McKaya, Keeley, Brinley, Paige, Cameron, Cody, and Whitney; three sisters, Phyllis (Terry) Zenk, Riverton, WY, and Deb Fustos, Riverton, WY, and Barb Deibert, Spearfish, SD; two brothers, Jerry (Mineko) Gillespie, of Salina, KS, and Jason (Nicky) Gillespie of Gillette, WY; special in-laws, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Allevia Gillespie; in-laws, John and Louise Cooper; brother, Keith Gillespie; nephew, Tige Cooper; brother-in-law, Larry Deibert; and many cousins. May they all rest in peace.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022, at the Sturgis City Auditorium on Main Street in Sturgis, SD.

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