Frank Gillis Sr.

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It is with a heavy heart that I report that Frank Gillis Sr. has pasted away (April 20, 2009).
  • This lifetime member of the MERIDIAN VETS CLUB was the Sprite Vets Club. His presents, smile, and dedication to the Meridian Vets Club will not be forgotten, and he will be  missed. As a memorial of his dedication, the picnic shelter has been named in his honor.  
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                         Frank R. Gillis Sr.

         Frank R. Gillis Sr.88, formerly of Vets Club Road, died Monday at Newhaven Court, Center Township.

         Born Sept. 27, 1920, he lived his entire life in Meridian (except for his  tour in the U.S. Army), and was the son of the late A.O. Gillis and the late Lois Smith Gillis.

         Mr. Gillis Sr. was a member of the Meridian United Presbyterian Church.

         He worked as an equitment operator and truck driver for the Russell Standard Construction Co., Wingert Inc.,DillickLumber, Pullman-Standard and Farm Bureau, which then became Agway. He retired in 1985 from Kradel’s Greenhouse. Following his retirement , he owned and operated the Gillis Greenhouse for 20 years.

         Mr. Gillis was a member of the Meridian Vets Club, a former member of the Meridian Volunteer Fiore Department, the Butler Boat Club and the Cosat Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 73. He was a founding member of the Butler Boat Club.

         He was the caretaker of the Meridian Vets Club Park. Mr. Gillis also was a honey beekeeper before entering the U.S. Army in 1942 and was a veteran of World War II, 44th Infantry 127 Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was a Purple Heart and Gold Star recipient.

         Mr. Gillis Sr. is survived by his two sons, Frank R. Gillis Jr. of Renfrew and Ronald G. Gillis of Connoquenessing; a brother, Edward Gillis of Baltimore, Md.; two sisters, Margaret Fullerton of Pittsburgh and Helen Christy of Butler; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five greatgrandchildren; six step-greatgrandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

         Mr Gillis Sr. was preceded in death by his wife, Esther Gillis, who he married July 31, 1941, and who passed away Jan. 26, 2007; two sisters, Anna Mary Kerr and Harriet Sankey; and two dauughters, Lucille Gillis Doutt and Gloria Jean Gillis.

         Gillis- Friends of Frank R. Gillis Sr. who died Monday, April 20, 2009, will be received ffrom 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thrsday at Thompson-Miller Funeral Home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Meridian United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. John Porter officiating. Interment will follow in St. John’s Reformed Church Cemetery.

         In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meridian United Presbyterian Church 4150 Highland Ave. Butler, Pa. 16001 or to the Meridian Veterans Club, 125 Meridian Veterans Club Road Butler, Pa. 16001.

                             TAPS

    DAY IS DONE,

    GONE THE SUN

    FROM THE LAKE,

    FROM THE SKY.

    ALL IS WELL, SAFELY REST.

     

    GOD IS NIGH.

     

    THANKS AND PRAISE FOR OUR DAYS

    ‘NEATH THE SUN,

    ‘NEATH THE STARS

    ‘NEATH THE SKY.

    AS WE GO, THIS WE  KNOW.

     

    GOD IS NIGH.