Gordon LeRoy Nilan, the son of Boyd and Norma (Brown) Nilan, was born December 23, 1937 in Oakland, IA. He died April 27, 2017 at the Oakland Manor Nursing Home in Oakland, IA, at the age of 79 years, 4 months, and 4 days.

Gordon attended school at Oakland and Carson. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served his country. After being honorably discharged on April 28, 1959, he returned to Oakland. On April 5, 1960, he was united in marriage to Rosalee Lang in Lincoln, NE. They lived in Colorado for a short time before returning to Oakland to farm. Gordon and Rosalee enjoyed spending the winter in Texas for the last twenty-five years. Gordon enjoyed playing cards, and was an excellent shuffleboard player.

Gordon is survived by his wife Rosalee of Oakland; his son Jeff Nilan and wife RoxAnn of Oakland, IA; his daughter Jill Musfeldt and husband Kent of Coon Rapids, IA; his grandchildren: Sara (Justin) Roetman, Kyle (Kylie) Musfeldt, Frankie (Michael) Knudsen, and Ryan (Paige) Nilan; and his great grandchildren: Tenley, Kennedi, Colby, Hadley, Conner, Emmie, Mazie, and Amelia. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends.