Richard "Rich" E. Gilliand

Richard (Rich) E. Gilliand, 82, of Meadville, passed away April 8, 2022.

He was born January 27, 1940 in Meadville, a son of the late George A. and Cleo (Walters) Gilliand.

On October 18, 2002, he married Claudia Almon Higham; she survives.

A veteran of the US Army, Richard served his country overseas in Germany and then again in the United States at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and Fort Knox in Kentucky. Following his honorable discharge, he began his career in the printing business with Meadville Printcraft in 1963 before segueing into his own printing business in 1970, Group 4 Printing. Between the two, he spent 30 years in the printing business. In 1991 he purchased The Cleaners, dry cleaning business on Market St. Rich was involved with the first Little League program in the city of Meadville in 1952 and subsequently the first Babe Ruth League. He stayed involved in the baseball community as a coach, umpire, and board member of the Meadville Little League Program. He was also involved with the Meadville Little Gridders program. Rich was proud to be a member of the Meadville community and was very civic-minded. He was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Meadville Jaycees, the Meadville Chamber of Commerce, the Sunrise Kiwanis Club (president), the Visiting Nurses Association (president), Meadville Medical Center (board of incorporators), and the Meadville Masonic Lodge #234. He was also an avid golfer. Rich was very proud of the fact that during his time with the Meadville Jaycees, he served as parade director of the Meadville Halloween parade, and was instrumental in starting the parade on time. Rich loved his country, his community and his family. He will be sadly missed.

Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Claudia Gilliand; a son, Michael Gilliand; a daughter, Marci Finton (Dr. Dennie); a brother, Edward Gilliand (Jane); stepsons, Stephen Higham (Tami), Matthew Higham (Michelle); six grandsons, Drew Finton (Courtney), Nicklaus Gilliand (Erin), Cole Finton, Parker Gilliand, Parker Higham, and
Evan Higham; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, George and Cleo, Rich was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Keller.

Friends are invited to celebrate Rich’s life on Monday April 11 from 5:00-6:30 in the lobby of the Kepler Hotel, 900 Market St., Meadville, or you may share a memory or condolence to the family at www.miznerfuneralhome.com

Rich will be laid to rest in Saegertown Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Wesbury for their care and attention.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Rd., or Ernst Trail, PO Box 592, both in Meadville, PA, 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC, 404 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE.