A Funeral Mass for Joseph Eugene Gilligan, 89, of Newark, will be held at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, September 24, 2014, with Fr. Jonathan Wilson and Deacon Robert Ghiloni as celebrants. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Marine Corps and the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Joe died at his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, September 21, 2014. He was born in Newark, Ohio on July 7, 1925 to the late Edward Francis and Bernice Ruth (Siegle) Gilligan.

Joe was a graduate of Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, a 1943 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School, and attended Ohio University of Athens. He was a United States Marine Corps WWII Veteran and served with the aviation division during the Okinawa campaign. Following the war, Joe returned home and worked for many years with the Railway Mail Service and eventually retired from the Newark Post Office in 1981.

He was a parishioner of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament and a member of the American Legion Post 85. Joe enjoyed hunting, golf, and was a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Joe is survived by his children and their spouses Jim (Judy) Gilligan, Connie Radabaugh (Marty Lange), Steve Gilligan (Lori Griley), Cathy (Mike) Schell, all of Newark, Doug (Robin) Gilligan of Charleston, SC, and Mark (Debbie) Gilligan of Newark; 21 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Bob (Nancy) Gilligan of Lexington, KY; his sister-in-law, Theresa Gilligan of Westerville; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marvin (Sandy) Smith of Newark; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his first wife, Nina Jean (Smith) Gilligan; his second wife, Geraldine (Hayes) Gilligan; brothers, Richard (Dorothy) Gilligan, Carl (Wanda) Gilligan, and Tom Gilligan; his sister, Patty (Jack) Maier; and his son-in-law, Judge Mike Radabaugh.

Friends and family may call from 4-8 P.M., Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at the REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, where a Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 P.M.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Blessed Sacrament Building Fund, 394 E. Main Street, Newark, OH 43055; or the Foundation for Hospice of Central Ohio, PO Box 430, Newark, OH 43058.

To share your memory of Joe, or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.