Joseph Lynn Gilliland, 65

Joseph Lynn Gilliland (born May 27, 1951) left us to join the party in heaven on Aug. 22, 2016. We know he did it on purpose to avoid the long-term effects of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Joe was born in Pasco, Wash., but lived in Coeur d’Alene all his life, graduating from Coeur d’Alene High in 1969 and going to North Idaho Junior College (now North Idaho College).

He volunteered for the U.S. Marines and served primarily in Hawaii, which he always claimed to have kept safe, unlike his brothers who lost Vietnam. He also served in the National Guard and the U.S. Army, but loved his Marine Corps service best, OORAH!

He was a house builder by trade, but also an artist with wood, painting flames or drawing. He could fix anything if you gave him a few minutes to think about it. He loved restoring old cars and driving fast on his motorcycle.

He is dancing in heaven with his mom, Luella and his son, Eric; numerous aunts and uncles; and his nephew, Richard DeGryse. He is preceded in death by his father, Glenn. Joe leaves behind three daughters, Tammy Cannon (Greg), Barbara Rodgers (Sean) and Meagan Becker (Bart); and two grandsons James Trujillo and Zach Becker. He is also survived by his wife of 35 years, Michelle Woods-Gilliland; his sisters, Barbara Swan (Hunt), Becky Bridges (Lance) and Kathy Olsen; his brothers, Gary Gilliland (Barb) and of course, the evil twin Greg Gilliland; as well as nephews and nieces Ian Swan (Christy), Ben Bridges, Bill Bridges, Kelly DeGryse (Sheila), Julie Keifer (Mark), Tim DeGryse, Kim Singleton (Tim) and Jackie Gilliland. Joe had a first family that he never forgot, his son, Tyson and his daughter, Jennifer, and her children, Caleb, Elias and Poppy.

Services to be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene. His favorite thing to say these last months was that when the door closes on him here in this life, it opens up in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, “Bring balloons, cuz I’m going up to a party!”

Please visit Joe’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.