James Gillett

Date of Birth

Oct 10,1938

Date of Death

Feb 04,2020

James Walter Gillett, age 81, of Elburn, IL, ascended into Heaven on February 4, 2020, after passing away peacefully at Oak Crest Retirement Center where he made his home in recent years.
He was born October 10, 1938, in Muscatine, IA, the son of Kenneth and Mary (VanDolah) Gillett.
Jim grew up on a farm in the Buffalo Prairie area of IL.
After graduating from Muscatine Community College in 1958, Jim worked as the Assistant Manager of the Farmers Elevator Company in Taylor Ridge, IL.
On April 12, 1959, James and Beverly (Nelson) Gillett were united in marriage. They were blessed with two children, Jeffrey and Julie. In November of 1968, the family moved to Elburn, IL, where Jim accepted a position as manager of the Elburn Co-Operative Company.
In addition to his work and family, Jim was continuously active in community efforts with the Elburn Lions Club. He was President in 1975, a Melvin Jones Recipient in 1995, and he became a lifetime member in 1999. Along with being in charge of the car raffle, Jim drove the Elburn Days Car in the parade for over 30 years. He taught all of his grandchildren how to drive; the year each grandchild earned their license, they drove the car in the parade. Furthermore, Jim was also a Director for the Kane County Bank and Grain & Feed Association of Illinois for many years. He was a member of the Community Congregational Church in Elburn, as well as the Buffalo Prairie Masonic Lodge, and the Tabala Shrine in Rockford.
Jim was an avid Cub’s fan and enjoyed watching spring training during winters in Mesa, AZ with Bev and their friends. For his retirement job, Jim like to sort mail at Sun Life and Oak Crest and to play pool with his brother—together they were the Billiards Coordinators.
Jim is survived by his daughter Julie (Ed) Stuehm; his daughter-in-law, Denise Gillett-Parchert and her husband Wayne Parchert; three grandchildren: Sara (Matthew) Amato, Laura (Ludwig) Gerdes, and J.C. (Sophie Gaynor) Gillett; one great-granddaughter, Maewyn Gerdes; one brother Jerry (Karen) Gillett and countryside of friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Mary Gillett; his wife, Beverly Gillett, and his son, Jeffrey Gillett.
Visitation will be at 2:30- 3:30 p.m. with a memorial service to follow on 3:30 p.m., at the Elburn Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, on Sunday, February 9, 2020. A second visitation will follow services until 5:00 p.m. Private cremation burial will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Jim’s name. Checks may be made to the Elburn Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, IL 60119, or memorials may be mailed to P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Services to flow first visitation time.

Visitation will be at 2:30- 3:30 p.m. with a memorial service to follow on 3:30 p.m., at the Elburn Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, on Sunday, February 9, 2020. A second visitation will follow services until 5:00 p.m.

Private family burial.

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