Gilbert was born in Towne, Texas on September 20, 1924 to Gilberto and Sista Garcia Portillo. The family moved to Riverbank, California then to Santa Maria, California where Gilbert attended schools until the 9th grade. His family moved to Woodlake, California where he was a joint proprietor of The Shell Service Station with Tito Hernandez. In 1986, he joined the funeral service team of Miller Memorial Chapel in Woodlake as a Funeral Attendant and Maintenance Supervisor for over 25 years. He retired in 2006. Gilbert attended St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church of Woodlake and assisted Father Jesse Venzor in all aspects of the church. He was a founding member of the Woodlake Council of Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight. Gilbert especially enjoyed taking his grandchildren to Disneyland and riding every ride with them. His family remembers how he never forgot anyone’s birthday, all the way down to his great grandchildren. Gilbert will be greatly missed by his family and those loved him.
Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Sista, granddaughter, Melissa Portillo in 1985, his wife Guillermina in 1998, his daughter-in-law Enedina Portillo in 2011, his daughter Rita in 2015, his brothers, Harry, Manuel, Nicholas; his sisters, Rosie and Connie, and his wife, Mary in 2017.
Gilbert leaves to cherish his memory, Gilbert R. Portillo of Visalia; seven grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and two sisters, Josephine and Bernadean and many friends and acquaintances.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018 from 10 – 1 p.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel, 134 Cypress Avenue in Woodlake, CA. Graveside services will follow at Woodlake Public Cemetery, 165 W. Cypress Avenue in Woodlake on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 1 p.m.
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millermemorialchapel.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA (559) 732-8371.
