Delores Gillam Burt
Delores Gillam Burt
Delores Gillam Burt
October 23, 1928 – August 11, 2023
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 94
Delores E. Gillam Burt, 94, of Oskaloosa, died August 11 at 10:25 a.m. at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born October 23, 1928, in Poweshiek County, the daughter of Glenn Hiram and Ida Emily Harner Bryan.
Delores graduated from Montezuma High School with the class of 1946.
On October 24, 1946, Delores was united in marriage to James A. Gillam at Oskaloosa. On February 21, 1991, James passed away after 45 years of marriage.
They farmed until 1973 when James A. got a job with the Mahaska County Road Maintenance Department. Delores worked as a legal secretary in Montezuma and Oskaloosa for over 30 years. Delores always had a caring heart and displayed her nurturing nature by caring for children in her home for many years. She later displayed her love for caring by taking care of several elderly ladies, both in her home and in their homes.
Delores was not one to settle into any one place for too long. In 1973, she moved to University Park. Then in 1994, she moved back to Montezuma, in 1998, back to Oskaloosa, and in 2006 she moved into Shady Lodge in Oskaloosa. Lastly, in 2008 she moved back to University Park.
On February 16, 2008, she was united in marriage to Bob N. Burt at New Sharon. Bob passed away August 14, 2019, after 11 years of marriage.
Though living in many communities, she maintained her membership at the First Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa from 1974 until 2009. At that time, she found a new church home at Faith Evangelical Methodist Church in Oskaloosa, and then she helped start the Omega Church in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and was currently a member of the Gateway Church in Oskaloosa.
Delores was an active volunteer at church making costumes for many church activities over the years. She looked forward to helping at the Iowa Holiness Association Annual Meeting every year.
Her family includes her son, James D. (& Mitzi) Gillam; her daughter, Beverly (& Ray) Gabrielson; four grandchildren: Cheinette Van Wyk, M. Douglas (& Renae) Gillam, Shaun Gillam, and Joshua Gillam; twelve great grandchildren; and numerous great great grandchildren.
In addition to her two husbands, Delores was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Michael Gillam and Roger Gillam; two grandsons, Travis Gillam and Andrew Gillam; a great-grandson, Benjamin Van Wyk; and three brothers: Frank Bryan, Edwin Bryan, and James Bryan.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with pastor Ron Bryan officiating.
Burial will be held in the University Park Cemetery following services. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Bates Funeral Chapel with Delores’s family present to greet relatives and guests.
Memorials may be made to MHP Serenity Hospice House.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Delores Gillam Burt please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
