Belvin Andrew Gillings
February 13, 1933 – July 4, 2020

Memorial services for Belvin Andrew Gillings, 87, of Platte, SD, will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2020, at St. James Catholic Church of Chamberlain, SD.
Social distancing will be practiced at the church.
Burial of ashes will be at Riverview Cemetery of Chamberlain, SD.
Belvin Andrew Gillings died July 4, 2020, at home in Platte, SD, at the age of 87.
Belvin Andrew Gillings was born Feb. 13, 1933, on the family farm near Academy, SD, the eighth son of Elmer and Belle (Carter) Gillings.
After the passing of his mother during childbirth, Belvin was raised by Earl and Mabel Graves for the early part of his life. During his lifetime, the entire Graves family became more than just friends, they became family
that held a special place in Belvin’s heart.
He attended a one room country school near Academy, SD, where he harassed the teachers and then Platte High School of Platte, SD, through the 11th grade.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force on Jan. 9, 1951, serving overseas during the Korean Conflict as a teletype operator. After his discharge on Jan. 8, 1955, he attended trade school in Lincoln, NE. He then returned home to the farm to work with Gale Graves.
On Dec. 27, 1958, Belvin was united in marriage to Vivien Hodgin at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain, SD. To this union, two children were born – Timothy and Joyce.
For a few years, he worked as a plumber but ultimately his love for farming brought him back to the farm in the early 1960s. They purchased their own farm in the early 1970s. Belvin remained on the farm until the time of his death.
Belvin loved playing cards, dancing, reading, collecting toy tractors and entertaining pheasant hunters.
He especially enjoyed his many adopted dogs.
He valued his close friendship with the Platte Colony families.
He served on the LaRoche Township Board, Academy Volunteer Fire Department and sat as a board member of the Charles Mix Farm Service Agency.
He was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain, SD, and also a member of the American Legion for 56 years.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Vivien Gillings of Platte, SD; a son, Timothy Gillings of Chamberlain, SD; a daughter, Joyce Gillings of Whitewood, SD; two brothers, Joseph Gillings of Academy, SD, and Alden Gillings of Arvada, CO; his stepmother, Anna Gillings of Platte, SD; a very special family to Belvin, Mike Graves and his family and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Belle Gillings; an infant son, twin infant daughters and six brothers, John Gillings, Lyle Gillings, Dean Gillings, Robert Gillings, Richard Gillings and Francis Gillings.
Hickey Funeral Chapel of Chamberlain, SD, will be in charge of arrangements.
The obituary may be seen at www.hickeyfuneralchapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.