Gordon Dolan

GOLDEN, Ill. -- Gordon F. Dolan, 89, of Golden, died at 11:12 p.m. Saturday (June 11, 2011) in Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

He was born on Jan. 10, 1922, in Holley, N.Y., a son of the late Frank C. and Lillian Wilson Dolan. He married Erna Gerdes on Dec. 11, 1943, in Golden and she died on Feb. 20, 2009.

Gordon was a 1939 graduate of Holley High School. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After his discharge from the service, he began his career as a railroad carman in 1946 with the former Merchants Dispatch Corp. that became New York Central, finally becoming Amtrak, retiring in 1980.

He enjoyed crossword puzzles and yardwork. He was a talented woodworker, able to whittle chains many feet long. He and his wife lived in the home they built themselves for almost 50 years in Granite City.

Surviving are two sons, Jim Dolan of Golden and Dr. Robert Dolan and wife, Deborah, of Carmi; two grandchildren, Dr. Nathanael Dolan and wife, Shannon, and Annie Coston and husband, Caleb, both of Carmi; and three great-grandchildren, Maeve and Walker Dolan and Ezekiel Coston.

SERVICES: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Hunter Funeral Home in Golden, with Pastor Deborah Dolan officiating. Interment will follow in Golden Memorial Gardens with military rites by Golden American Legion Post 802.

VISITATION: One hour prior to the service Tuesday at the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: Golden Good Shepherd Home.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home, Golden.

WEBSITE: www.hunterfh.net.

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