Ronald Gillis

Ron Gillis, 71, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Wednesday, September 7, 2011, as the result of injuries sustained in a semi-truck accident in Illinois. Visitation will begin after noon on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel where the family will receive friends from 2-5 p.m. that afternoon. A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 12th at 10:30 a.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Earl Swigart and Pastor Brad Gillis officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established and may be directed to the family. The son of Robert and Rita (Johnston) Gillis, Ron was born on April 29, 1940 in Mt. Pleasant, IA. He attended Mt. Pleasant Schools and graduated in 1959. On May 26, 1963, he married Sharon Goddard in Mt. Pleasant. For many years Ron worked for Control Services doing industrial weed control. He became an over-the-road semi-truck driver in 1995 working for Ruan, Heartland Express, and most recently, Shelman Sons. He was a member of the Iowa National Guard and had attended OCS lieutenant training school. His hobbies included restoring his 1948 Mercury car and woodworking. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Sharon; three sons, Bradley (Renee) Gillis of Mt. Pleasant, Cary (Marsha) Gillis of New London, and Darin Gillis of Mt. Pleasant; one sister, Rae Jean Gasper of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother, Richard Gillis of Skagway, AK; and eight grandchildren Kristin, Melinda and Shelby Gillis of Mt. Pleasant, Heidi (Gavin) Kennedy of Mt. Pleasant, and Holly, Heather, Hagin, and Harper Gillis of New London. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.