Samuel R. Gillen

Monday, January 13, 2020

Samuel R. Gillen

March 10, 1985 - Jan. 11, 2020

OXFORD, Neb. — Samuel R. Gillen, age 34, of Oxford, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at Bryan LGH in Lincoln, Neb.

He was born on March 10, 1985, in Fort Collins, Colo., to Mike and JoDee (Anderson) Gillen.

He lived most of his life in Arapahoe, Neb., where he graduated in 2004 from Arapahoe Public High School. After high school, he graduated from CCC and Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City, S.D. He then moved to Oxford, where he picked up the profession of butcher. In 2014, Sam expanded our family and welcomed son, Ayden. Sam considered one of his greatest accomplishments to be becoming a father.

Sam was known for having a big heart and a laugh that could fill a room. He will deeply be missed from all those that knew him.

He is survived by his parents, JoDee Walbridge and Mike Gillen; sisters, Fayth Walbridge, Cassandra Steele, and Alyssa Bottger; brothers, Maxwell Walbridge and Sean Gillen; sons, Ayden Gillen and Matthew Millers; grandmother, Lorrie Anderson; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Sam was predeceased by his step-father, John Walbridge; grandparents, Raymond and Glenna Gillen, Helen and Adison Walbridge, and Bob Anderson.

Memorials will be used to set up a fund that will help subsidize local addiction treatment and recovery.

Viewing and visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Wenburg Funeral Chapel, 652 Main St., Arapahoe. Funeral services will be Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, at 1:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Arapahoe with Pastor Becky Saddler, officiating. Interment will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery at Arapahoe.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapaoe is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences or personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com