Charles Mike M. (Mike) Gillis

Whether we knew him as devoted husband, our Poppa Mike, Grandpa Mike, brother, uncle, cousin, Mr. G or friend we knew with certainty the response we’d get when asked how he was doing – “Fine, FINE!” was the response we knew was coming. We knew too that the response was heartfelt because, no matter the challenges he faced, his outlook was always positive. After almost seventy-two years of sharing with us on earth, he now looks upon us standing ramrod straight as a member of Heaven’s Honor Guard.

Surrounded by family, Mike departed this life peacefully at home on the evening of September 25th after a brief illness. The third of the ten children born to the late Rev. James (Dane) and Mrs. Florida (Fottie) Gillis, Mike made his appearance on September 27, 1940 in Henderson Kentucky. When the family relocated to Evansville, Indiana he spent his formative years there. He graduated from Evansville’s Lincoln High School in 1958 and joined the Navy to see the world. After completing training as an electrician he served on a variety of ships and at outposts around the world – from the Philippines to Viet Nam to Scotland where he discovered the family crest. After twenty-two years of decorated military service he retired and returned to civilian life. He soon joined General Motors as an electrician at their Wentzville, Missouri and Fremont, California facilities. After eighteen years of service to his automotive colleagues, Mike retired yet again.

Now proudly calling Modesto, California home he was able to pursue his many interests. Mike was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also a storyteller extraordinaire as well as a superbly talented artist. Decades before colorizing black and white pictures became vogue at movie companies, Mike painstakingly transformed sepia toned photos to living color. A testament to the mastery of his craft can be seen in the vivid colors of work completed over fifty years ago. He also had a keen sense of fashion that was often displayed by clothing he inspired or created.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife Janice with whom he recently celebrated their anniversary signifying eighteen years of wedded bliss. He is survived too by four beloved step-children – Travis Helton (Eulisha), Michele Evans (Carlos) and Keisha Helton of Modesto and Monica Whitlen (Alton) of Arizona. Eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, comrades in arms and countless friends also mourn his passing.

Mike’s always positive outlook and cherished memory lives on in the hearts of his surviving siblings – sisters Judy McClain of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Marilyn Hornes (Ernest) of Detroit, Michigan; Cherry Gillis of Washington, DC; Dorothy Hardin of Evansville, Indiana and brother William (Isabelle) of Sausalito, California.

Mike now rejoins family members who preceded him in transition - his parents, brothers James, George and Paul as well as sister Rashida (Donna) Arnold.

Our Mike, our sailor, is now home from the sea.