Nova Ray Gilliatt, 91, of English, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at Paoli Health and Living Center in Paoli, Indiana.
He was born on November 12, 1924, in Taswell, Indiana, to the late Fred and Ocie Gilliatt.

Nova graduated from English High School in 1943 and immediately joined the U.S. Navy during WWII. He served as a 3rd class Navy Gunner's Mate on the liberty ships that carried supplies to the war effort in Europe. His service took him to Argentina, France, India, Italy, Iraq, the Suez Canal, and South Africa. He was stationed in the Philippines when the war ended.

After service, he returned home to Crawford County, married Marie "Bunny" Wright of Grantsburg, and attended GI Farm School. As a farmer, he initially raised corn and pigs, but later concentrated his efforts on raising Angus beef cattle. While farming, he also worked at Eddystone Furniture Manufacturing in English and for the Indiana Highway Department as a unit foreman for Crawford, Perry, Dubois, and Orange counties. After 20 years with the highway department, he retired in 1989 and continued to farm until 1999.

Nova contributed to his local community by serving on the Crawford County Soil and Water Conversation District Board and as a county commissioner for 4 years. He also served on the Crawford County School Board during which time the land for the current location of the junior-senior high school was purchased.

He was a true Southern Indiana country boy who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He especially looked forward to each spring so he could tramp through the woods looking for mushrooms. He willingly shared his mushroom harvest with others, but not exactly where he found them.

Nova was preceded in death by a baby brother, Carol F; his parents, Fred and Ocie Gilliatt; a brother, Orel Clarence Gilliatt; and a sister, Claris Lucille Bowles. He is survived by his wife Bunny of 69 years; a daughter, Cheri Ann of San Jose, CA; a brother, Edwin Gene (Jeanie) of Fischers, Indiana; two sisters, Helen Lee Atwood and Lillie Mae Newton (Carol) of Indianapolis; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 23, 2016, at the Denbo Funeral Home in English, Indiana, with Minister Alfred Madden officiating. Burial occurred at the Eastridge-Fairview Cemetery located next to the original Fairview General Baptist Church. Military graveside rites were provided by English Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6160.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 6160, 323 South Oak Hill Circle, English, Indiana, 47118.

The family wishes to extend a very special recognition and heartfelt *Thank You* to the Paoli Health and Living staff who provided Nova excellent care during his extensive stay; also, special thanks to neighbors Marvin and Janet Webster, Larry and Sharon Riddle, Nova Hubbard and Sue Cline; and many others who frequently inquired and visited Nova. Last, but certainly not least, a special "shout out" to all the mushroom hunters who brought mushrooms to Nova when he became unable to hunt.