John "Jack" Gillis

Leetonia - September 13, 2009 - John J. "Jack" Gillis, 88, of 638 Columbia Street, died Sunday afternoon at his home.

Mr. Gillis was born February 2, 1921 in East Palestine, a son of the late Angus Patrick and Suzanne Call Gillis and had lived in this area all of his life. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW II.

He had been employed in the maintenance department for Sun Oil Company for many years. He had also served as maintenance supervisor for Crestview School District for several years. Mr. Gillis was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Leetonia and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of Joe Williams Post #131 American Legion, York Drexler Post #5532 of Washingtonville, and the Leetonia Italian American Club. He also enjoyed pitching horseshoes and was an avid gardener.

He is survived by his wife, the former Helen Crooks, whom he married December 17, 1945; four daughters, Jeanette (Don) Stecker of Columbiana, Elaine (Vince) Hoover of Lisbon, Anita (Earl) Lancaster of Leetonia, and Rosemarie (Don) Warner of Cumming, GA; three sons, Thomas (Nancy) Gillis of St. Petersburg, FL, Christopher (Barbara) Gillis of Lisbon, and Joseph Gillis of Leetonia; two sisters, Patricia Davis of East Palestine and Suzanne Hause of Lisbon; two brothers, Raymond (Barbara) Gillis of Houston, TX and Peter Gillis of Citrus Heights, CA; eight grandchildren, Lisa Custer, Renee Kacenski, Jennifer Frank, Megan Thornton, Brendan Gillis, Kelsey Warner, Mackenzie Warner, and Sydney Warner; and six great grandchildren, Amanda and Sarah Custer, Aaron, John, and Delaney Kacenski, and Xander Thornton.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Gillis and a brother, Lawrence Gillis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Reverend Thomas Eisweirth officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery where the honor guard from the Salem Amvets and VFW will accord military honors.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MVI Hospice.