Well, my brother-in-law's Dad was finally found yesterday morning. His car was found Monday in a very remote location in Southern IL.. Yesterday, Gillie's remains were found about 80 feet from the car. I will spare the details since he had been there since the end of May, but he obviously had gotten the car stuck, and not long after walked over and sat under a big tree, were he apparently passed away a short time later. There were no signs of foul play, and no sign that he struggled an any way. We think he just peacefully slipped away. No one had even been in the area since May, and finally Monday, the guy who owned the land was on a four wheeler and found the car, which was on a four wheeler trail, way off of the main road. Thanks for all of your prayers and support. Gillie was 81 and lived a very full life. He will be missed.
[ October 25, 2006, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: Dave Utter ]
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Thanks for letting us in on the news Dave. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
-grampa dan
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Dave,
Thank you for the update. I know it's tough but at least your family has some closure. God Bless Gillie.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Sorry to hear that Gillie didn't make it. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayer. Glad he went peacefully. Judy
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Thanks for the update. So sorry. Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
I feel so bad for his family, it must hurt so much. But thank God he was not a victim of foul play, that would be so much worse. Maybe this was his time to go.
I pray that you all find some peace in the middle of this Dave.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
That truly is some sad news. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Bruce and Dana
Posted by William Holohan (Member # 2514) on :
How very sad for everyone involved. Prayers to all.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
So sorry about your loss. Your families will be in my prayers. May peace be yours through this difficult time. As mentioned above, at least he is now in a peaceful place and lived to have wonderful friends and family.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Well, although the outcome was what you expected it's over now. And as everyone else has said at least it was peacefully. Sorry to hear of the bad news. Our thoughts are with you and yours. Be strong. It's a difficult time. Deri
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
Our deepest sympathies to all the Utters. The only good thing is that now at least you know what happened to him and you aren't wondering where he is. It's been such a long time since he has been missing and to have that closure, finally, has to be somewhat of a relief. At least you should have some peace in that concern. Glad to hear that he did not suffer. You are all in our prayers.
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Tell your brother-in-law that I feel his pain. I will pray that God will fill that gap of loss that he and his family are going thru.
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
I hate to be crass, but it sounds like maybe the tough old dude did exactly what he wanted, this might not have been an accident. He knew how he wanted to go, and did just that. Real peaceful like, under a big tree. Just my first impression, it sounds admirable.
Sorry for your loss.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I'm very sorry for your loss, Dave. Not knowing what happened is, in some ways, worse than getting the news. Some years ago, we had a family member disappear for several weeks. The agony of not knowing was gut wrenching. Fortunately, in our case, the person was found safely. I wish your family's experience would have turned out like ours.
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Dave, Prayers and peace to you and your family, Shep'
Posted by Randy W. Robarge (Member # 2022) on :
Sorry for your loss, Dave.
My family has had a similar tragedy:
When my dad was a teenager, his father (my grandfather) never came home from work one night during a snowstorm. They, the police, etc, looked at his route and couldn't find anything.
The next year a fisherman saw something "shiny" in the River. Low and behold, it was my grandfather's car and, unfortunately, he was still in it.
Apparently, his car slid off the road into the river that snowy night, and the remainder of the snowstorm completely covered any sign of it. Thank goodness for the fisherman.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)