GILBERT FRANKLIN HEISLEN

Gil Heislen, 61, of Raymore, MO, died unexpectedly Friday, August 7, at Menorah Medical Center.  There will be private family gatherings due to COVID-19.  Memorial donations are suggested to Great Circle Northwestern Region - Tom Butterfield Campus at https://www.greatcircle.org or mail to:

Great Circle
Attn:  Loretta Williams
1126 East Highway WW
Marshall, MO 65340

Gil was born in Marshall, MO, to Edmund J. Heislen and Viola Korte Thurman Heislen.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Robert Thurman and Robert's wife, Barbara.  He is survived by his life partner and love, Linda Bryant of Raymore; a son, Kurt Heislen of Belton and Kurt's mother Shellie of Belton; a daughter;  siblings, Jimmy Thurman (Rhonda) of Marshall; Paul Thurman (Linda) of Columbia; David Thurman (Sharon) of Marshall; Janet Carmack (Bernie "Poodle") of Glasgow; nieces, nephews, cousins; and Linda's children Cassandra Patchen (Derrick) of Overland Park, KS, and Dallas Bryant (Kayla) of Raymore; and grandchildren Elizabeth and Jack Patchen; and Cameron and Colton Bryant; and four cats who are still waiting for Gil to come home. Gil was a Marshall High School graduate and attended Longview Community College.  He worked for 39 years in the Federal Government contract facility security industry, the last 7 years as a quality control manager.  He worked for many contractors; however, he often said the best job of his life was the 11 years he worked for Ree's Contract Services, Inc., CEO Ms. B. Marie Foster.  In his younger days Gil tried it all.  He was a karate instructor, bowler, scuba diver, softball player and golfer.  By far his absolute favorite things to do were to refinish and build furniture and pretend to be a wood carver.  On Valentine's Day 1996 Gil and Linda had their first date and considered this day their anniversary.  Not often a romantic type, Gil gave her a rose for every year they were together, the last time giving her 2 dozen long-stemmed roses. Gil kindly welcomed Linda's dad to live in their home, patiently responding to the same questions every day until Bill passed in 2016. Gil was a jack of all trades sort and could do anything he set his mind to from plumbing, sheet rocking, designing and building things, to building computer database applications. He made THE BEST, juiciest smoked brisket and was known to send pictures of his BBQ creations to friends, especially to those on a diet.  Gil loved MGD, cold milk, and his Mom's creamed potatoes. He loved classic country and rock 'n roll, often saying, "Tough cut!" when he heard one of his favorite tunes.  If he did not believe what you told him, he would say, "Your ass sucks buttermilk in tall weeds", even though few really knew what that meant.  He sure will be missed by many.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278