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George William Gillberg

1939 - 2021

George William Gillberg obituary, 1939-2021, Dekalb, IL

FUNERAL HOME

Anderson Funeral Home - DeKalb

2011 South Fourth Street

Dekalb, Illinois

George Gillberg Obituary

George William Gillberg
George William Gillberg, 82, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021, from complications of covid and dementia.
He was born February 11, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Arthur A. and Mollie (Downer) Gillberg.
George was born and raised in Chicago, Beloved husband of Sylvia Gillberg (DeFotis); father of two daughters, Anastasia and Laura; grandfather of Alexandria Gillberg; two brothers, Alan A Gillberg; sister-in-law, Shirlie Gillberg and Roger Gillberg.
He attended Lane Tech High School and has a master's degree from Northern Illinois University. George was a much beloved coach of high school swimming for 30 years in Tinley Park, Illinois. He taught children ages 5 to ages 18 including adult swimming.
He will be most remembered for his outgoing personality and ability to befriend almost anyone. He was most loving and loved in return.
A celebration of life is planned for summer.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.

Published by Daily-Chronicle from Dec. 14 to Dec. 15, 2021.
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Memories and Condolences
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Sylvia,
I am so sorry for your loss. George was such a great guy with an awesome sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. My sympathies to you and the family. :(

karyn bannes

August 19, 2022

I have such fond memories of Coach Gillberg- swimming for him in Oak Forest and at sun n fun pool in Midlothian. My condolences to his family.

Roseann (Cumbo) Misheck

Friend

August 14, 2022

TO: Sylvia, Stacy, Laura, and Alex, I am so very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful life he lived.
He had a great sense of humor and especially enjoyed good times with family and friends. George answered the phone, “Syl doesn’t want to talk to you now”. And he would shout, “SYL, it’s your pestering sister.” The four months every winter we lived one block apart. I always looked forward to their arrival. We always had fun poolside. The community pool was halfway between our houses. Whenever there were any children in the pool George would attempt to teach them to swim. George had an incredible presence about him. There were no strangers in his life. He was always a fun loving person and always welcoming. When you went to his house or met him on the street there was a great big smile and he would yell your name out, Rene, as if he hadn’t seen you in ten years. I moved into the townhouse down the block he was always there to lend a hand; for all the repairs and little things I needed done. Sometimes I didn’t even have to ask. He just showed up. He will forever be loved, dearly remembered and greatly missed.

Irene DeFotis

Family

January 30, 2022

George, you will be missed. What an amazing neighbor you were to my kids and to me. I´m past years they would always be checking out the windows around holiday times to see if you returned to your winter home here. We couldn´t ask for a nicer next door neighbor and thank you for all the help you gave me on little projects around my house. The path between our homes will always be there as a reminder of the giving, loving and generous man who used it. Rest In Peace, George.

Eric Dryden

Friend

January 9, 2022

A great friend and neighbor, whose unrelenting friendliness and willingness to help others touched all who knew him; George will be sorely missed as a familiar face in our neighborhood. George and Sylvia have been our neighbors in Arizona for 19 years now, and I know I've had nothing but fond memories, from visiting them as a kid to playing tee-ball in our driveway. Only a few years ago (seven, seems like less) my family visited the Gillbergs up on Lake Namakagon, driving their boat and playing on Sylvia's piano. While we haven't talked much these past few years, I know my family would have nothing but kind words to say. Rest in peace.

Matthew Dryden

Neighbor

January 8, 2022

Dear Sylvia and family, I am so sorry for your loss, with one tragic condition compounded by another. When I was growing up, the Gillberg family lived across the alley from us, and they were one of the anchors of our neighborhood. While George was quite a bit older than me, I do remember him and how my parents spoke of how kind he was, as a boy and as a man. I think my parents and he stayed in touch for a long time, and sometimes he'd stop by when he was visiting Mollie. I am in occasional contact with Roger, but I just learned of George's death today. Again, you have my deepest sympathy.

Karen Furnweger

Other

January 3, 2022

My sympathies to Sylvia, Stacy, and Laura. George had such a warm personality and great sense of humor. I have so many wonderful memories of spending time with you all over the years (especially at your house in Tinley).

Keith Kostecki

Friend

December 21, 2021

Sylvia and family,
I am so sad to hear the passing of George. He was my first swim coach and then much later our neighbor. It was great to see you both years ago up in Cable and also to get that yearly Christmas card too. He was a great guy! Please accept our deepest sympathy.

Dawn (Muys) Borgman

Friend

December 21, 2021

My coach. My mentor. Rest in peace. May God grant comfort to your family.

Bill Guilfoyle

December 20, 2021

Our thoughts join many others in hoping you'll find comfort in the many loving memories you have.

John and Mary Lintula

Other

December 19, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss Sylvia. Hugs to you and your family.

Marilyn K Hemsey

December 19, 2021

My sincerest condolences to the Gillberg family. They were our dear neighbors for many years in Tinley. I grew up with his daughter´s Laura and Stacy, and have many fun memories of time spent with his family. Tea parties, swimming, the best Halloween Haunted house in the basement, and petting the horses in the back yard. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!

Lynn Torres

December 18, 2021

I was a full-time substitute teacher and Coach always treated me as if I were a real teacher.....great guy...as a kid I had his wife as a substitute teacher.....wonder lady as well...
RIP Coach and peace to the family

Mike Turcol

December 18, 2021

Prayers for the Family. May you Rest In Peace. Not only the greatest coach but also many years of teaching us how to be adults. Swam for coach from about age 6 through high school. Was able to meet him for lunch in Arizona a few years back to catch up on things. Great man. Impacted every student at Andrew High School Until we meet again

Kevin Hecht

Friend

December 17, 2021

RIP George. So very sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of teaching with George at Andrew High School. Such a wonderful man, colleague and friend

Barb (Geyer) Walaszek

Work

December 17, 2021

I taught for many years with George at Andrew. What a great coach and an even better person.He will be missed.

Frank Ganser

December 17, 2021

I was on the swim team at VJA HS as a freshman (Class of 83) and even though I enjoyed swimming I was pretty much in last place each time. Coach Gillberg never made feel like I was a poor swimmer; he always tried to encourage me. I know that his encouragement most likely helped many others throughout the years. Thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.

David Brasch

Student

December 16, 2021

My sincere condolences to George´s family. George taught me and put me on the swim team when I was 6 at TPHS. I swam with him on age group for many years and then was excited to hear he would be my HS coach at VJA. So sad to hear this news. Prayers to all!

Kim Noreen DeGraff

School

December 16, 2021

I first got to know George when my son and daughter swam for the age group at Andrew HS. I was the HS Boys and girls swim coach at Stagg HS. When the school board insisted that the age group teams remove the HS name from their team , as a parent of my 2 age group swimmers at Andrew , I suggested the name Gills after George with the obvious reference to gills. A few years later , he transferred from Andrew to Stagg HS and then we became really good friends. George was a great guy who quick became an integral part of Stagg´s faculty.i actually hosted his retirement from teaching party at my home in Tinley Park. About 10 years later after I retired, we met in Arizona for a round of golf. We had such a great time, it was like I had seen him a couple weeks ago. Rest in peace
my friend

Bob Ferkaluk

December 16, 2021

I had his. Gym class at stagg hs in about 1993 he was the best gym teacher I ever had.he was always nice to me. And he made me a homemade trophy for 3rd place in badminton. I still have the trophy made for me out of wood and pvc pipe with a badminton birdie on top spray painted bronze color. Also later got to know his brother Al what some good nice people. Sorry to hear of his passing . God bless you all.

Gene jankovich

Friend

December 15, 2021

My sincere condolences to all George´s loved ones. He was a joy to talk with and a good neighbor.

Barbara Berg

Friend

December 14, 2021

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