Frederick "Fred" Jacob Fillman

Paton - Frederick “Fred” Jacob Fillman, 97, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Fred was a faithful servant of the Lord and a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM Saturday December 2, 2023, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Farnhamville, with Pastor Aaron Zimmerman officiating. Burial will be in Dawson Township Cemetery, west of Paton. The visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, December 1, 2023, at the church. Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie is in charge of arrangements.

Fred was born October 2, 1926, in Dexter, Iowa, son of Frederick John and Nannie Tillie (Schafer) Fillman. He was baptized at the Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter, Iowa. In 1940, he moved with his parents to a farm in Paton, Iowa. He was confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in 1941. During his junior year in high school, Fred was enamored by a young lady in the same grade, Shirley Jean Powell. Fred and Shirley graduated from Paton Consolidated School in 1944. As Fred described it, he patiently waited while Shirley followed her dream of becoming a registered nurse. Fred and Shirley married in 1949, and the couple had three children, Connie, Craig and Caryn.

He enjoyed farming his entire life. Fred also served in the National Guard from 1948 to 1952 as a Squad Sargent in the 34th Division and volunteered for several community organizations, including: the Cooperative of Gowrie Board, the Webster Calhoun Telephone Association Board, the Dawson Township and the Paton-Churdan School Board. Along with his wife, Shirley, his greatest passion was serving God through his church. He was an active member at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Farnhamville, where he taught Sunday School for 18 years and served in various leadership roles. Fred said that man is born to serve others, and he gives thanks to God who sent His Son to pay for everyone’s sins on the cross. Salvation is free for all who believe. Thanks be to God for His mercy.

Fred was preceded in death by Shirley, his loving wife of nearly 65 years. He is survived by their three children, Connie (Richard) Carstens of Jefferson, Craig (Elaine) Fillman of Paton and Caryn (Chuck) Hane of Jefferson; seven grandchildren, Nicole (Tim) Rasmussen, Joshua (Mylissa) Carstens, Joy (Bobby) Johnson, Sarah (Peter) Parks, Kelly (Mike) Sams, Aimee (Matt) Bunker and Charlie Hane; and eleven great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Fred’s name to: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Farnhamville or the Paula J. Baber Hospice House.