Obituary: David Gordon "Goose" Gildin

MADISON - David Gordon "Goose" Gildin, age 89, of Madison, died on Monday, July 28, 2003. He was born on Dec. 1, 1913, in Madison, the son of David and Mary (Landpop) Gildin. Dave graduated from Central High School. He married Jennie F. Bailey on June 14, 1942, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Jennie preceded him in death on Nov. 1, 1997. Dave was a staff sergeant with the 381st Bomb Group, 535th Squadron, stationed in Ridgewell, England, where he was a tailgunner on a B-17. He flew 31 combat missions receiving many air medals, including three Oak Leaf Clusters and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Dave retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1975. He is survived by two daughters, Jolynn (Roger) Attoe and Barbara (Darryl) Sullivan, both of Poynette; five grandchildren, Bob (Ann) Halverson of Germantown, David (Cathy) Halverson of Verona, John (Stephanie) Halverson of Green Bay, Derek (Stephanie Lawrence) Sullivan of Madison, and Megan (Nathan Rucker) Sullivan of Minneapolis; six great-grandchildren, Jennie Lynn, Alek David, Alan John, Connor Daniel, Eric Robert and Olivia Kroll; and his special cat, Kaley. Dave was preceded in death by his sister, Mary, in 1999. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, on Thursday, July 31, 2003, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bill Berg presiding. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park where military graveside honors will be conducted. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the services. Memorials may be made to the Dane County Humane Society. Dad, we love you and will miss you but we know you are at peace now that you are together again with mom. Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 30, 2003