Francis “Pudge” Fillman, 87, of Owensboro, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2014 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. He was born on July 26, 1927 in Monmouth, IL to the late Arthur “Babe” and Pearl Olson Fillman. Pudge was a member of Blessed Mother Catholic Church and was retired from Wescor-Willamette Industries. He served as a Deputy Sheriff in Hancock County under Sheriff Ralph Boling, was a past president of the Hawesville Lions Club, served on the Hawesville Volunteer Fire Dept., a member of the Hancock County Senior Center and was on the original Hancock County Solid Waste Committee. Pudge was also a youth baseball/softball coach and a volunteer bus driver for sporting events and school field trips. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially going to their sporting events, playing cards and going to the horse races. Pudge was a very special friend to Santa Claus. Pudge was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Fillman, a daughter, Jan Guth and three brothers, Jim, Harry and Bill Fillman.

Survivors include his daughter, Jolene White and husband Jody White LTC(ret); two sons, Jeff Fillman and wife Debbie and Jay Fillman and wife Susie all of Owensboro; a son in law David Guth and wife Maureen of Lawrence, KS; 7 grandchildren, Susan Guth, Jenny Burns and husband Chris, Michael Fillman and wife Connie Beth, Gabe Fillman, Joshua White, Jeremy White and CDT Jordan White; 4 great grandchildren, Abby Burns, Christopher Burns, Payton Burns and Norah Fillman; a sister, Louise Fillman Hall of Sun City Center, FL., and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2014 at Blessed Mother Catholic Church in Owensboro with Father Mike Clark officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Hawesville. Pudge’s family will be greeting friends on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Gibson & Son Funeral Home in Hawesville with prayers being said at 6 p.m. and on Monday from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Mother Catholic Church. Expressions of sympathy can be made to Hospice of Western Kentucky, Hawesville Lions Club or Owensboro Catholic Youth Baseball/Softball, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.