Penny Lynn Gilliland | 65 | Elsah

Penny Lynn Gilliland, 65, of Elsah, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 10 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Health Center in Alton. She was born on Sept. 30, 1959 to Shirley and T.A. Crossman in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Penny was employed with American Maid for many years. She enjoyed cleaning at Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton. Penny enjoyed being a “River Rat” of Grafton. She loved the the outdoors and going fishing. Her biggest joy was her grandchildren.
Penny endured the flood of ’93, which was devastating to her and taught her to be tough and raise children at the same time.
Penny is survived by her two daughters, Cody (Drew) Orban of Livingston and Jesse Russell of Collinsville; three grandchildren, Myiah Orban, Cora Orban and Sarah Russell; brothers, Brad Burnett, Brian Burnett and Randy Burnett all of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Besides her parents, Penny was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth “Junior” Gilliland; a son in infancy, Mitchell Alexander Durham; and a sister, Lisa Burnett.
At her request she was cremated and a Celebration of Life will take place on April 13, 2025 at Grafton Legion from 12 to 4 p.m. Penny enjoy many fish fries and this will be “Penny’s last fish fry.”
Memorials may be made the the Grafton Legion.