Anita Marie Gilliland

Anita Marie Gilliland, 82, of Fort Myers, FL, formerly of Arcola, IL passed away at 9:50 PM on Monday, April 14, 2025 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main St., Arcola, IL. Rev. Tom Sherman will officiate. Burial will follow in the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Anita was born on March 4, 1943 in Chesterville, IL. She was the daughter of Ray Harlan and Audrey (Applegate) Janes. She married Harold Eugene Gilliland on August 15, 1965 in Arcola, IL. He passed away on April 9, 2004.

She is survived by two daughters, Penny (Doug) Cissell, and Melinda (John) Verducci, two step sons, Chuck (Flory) Gilliland, and Bob (Beverly) Gilliland, 8 grandchildren, Chloe Coler, Griffin Rahn, Arabella Verducci, Sean Cissell, Megan Springer, Ashley Farish, Douglas Ferguson, and Brittany Phipps, 7 great grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren, 17 step great grandchildren, and 2 step great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, Mark Halsell, one daughter, Kimberley Shirley, one step daughter, Jeanne Crites, one brother, Melvin Janes, one sister, Barbara Cox, and one step granddaughter, Sarah Gilliland.

Anita was a member of the Arcola Presbyterian Church.

Anita’s unconditional love and laughter provided a safe haven and place of comfort for those who loved her most. Her generosity and care for others spoke volumes to the person she was and the depth of her beliefs in Christianity.

Memorials may be made to the Arcola Presbyterian Church or VITAS Healthcare of Fort Myers.