Darvin D. Gilliland

Darvin D. Gilliland, 70, of Parsons, passed away at 9:41 a.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Darvin Dale Gilliland was born on August 5, 1955, to Harold Leroy and Edith Mae (Wallace) Gilliland in Eldon, Missouri. He grew up and attended school in Chetopa, where he graduated from Chetopa High School.

Following high school, Darvin joined the Marines and served his country in the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged, Darvin returned to southeast Kansas and became a police officer in Independence, where he served the community for 11 years and earned the rank of lieutenant. At that time, Darvin made a career change and was a truck driver for Ottawa Manufacturing for 15 years. He retired in 2012 due to his health, but he did continue to work for the company part-time.

Darvin was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Oswego.

An outdoorsman at heart, Darvin loved to fish, camp and shoot. He was a jack-of-all-trades with his talents ranging from construction and carpentry to building and repairing computers. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family.

Survivors include:

Three sons – Brandon Lee Gilliland of Parsons, Kansas

Timothy Gilliland (Bethene) of Oswego, Kansas

Matthew Gilliland (Vicki) of Phoenix, Oregon

Five daughters – Sheila Robison (Tyler) of Oswego, Kansas

Johna Gatton (Brian) of Oswego, Kansas

Laura Roberts (Keenen) of Parsons, Kansas

Deana Hembrough (Bryan) of Columbus, Kansas

Carrie Drake (Greg) of Joplin, Missouri

20 grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gale Gilliland and Lael Gilliland; and two sisters, Betty Harold and Dolly Hall.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Assembly of God Church in Oswego. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.

Complete obituary will be announced by the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.