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Richard Owen Gillett
Born: 7/23/1941
Died: 8/14/2024
Age: 83
Community: Corunna, MI
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Richard Owen Gillett Sr., age 83, of Corunna passed away on Wednesday August 14, 2024, at the Meadows of Owosso.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, at Owosso First Church of The Nazarene with Pastor Jerry Walden officiating. The family will receive family and friends at Nelson-House Funeral Home in Owosso on Monday, August 19, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday, August 20. Burial will be in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly MI at a future date.
Richard was born July 23, 1941, in Owosso, the son of Emmett Gillett Sr. and Vesta (Kersey) Gillett.
He was in the Owosso High School class of 1959, getting his GED before enlisting and proudly serving in The United States Marine Corps. He later returned to Corunna High School Adult Education Graduating along with his brother Wayne in 1981 to show his sons how important education was to him.
He married his forever best friend Rosemary Martenis in Manassas, Virginia on July 30, 1962. They lived in Owosso/Corunna area and enjoyed spending winters in Haines City, Florida during their retirement years.
Richard’s pride and joy was his family and being a leading example of hard work, commitment and ensuring his family and friends were taken care. He enjoyed attending family events, coaching his son’s sports teams, and attending his grandchildren’s sports and award ceremonies. Golf was his sports passion, and he enjoyed golf leagues and golf weekends with family and friends in Michigan and Florida. He was an influential mentor, sharing his words of wisdom with his grandkids ….”You have to be a friend to have a friend” and “Be a leader, not a follower”.
Always willing to give his time and share his talents, he was constantly helping family with home projects, plowing out the neighbor’s driveway and fixing anything. If something was broken and seemingly unfixable, “take it to grandpa, he’ll fix it”. He cherished the “garage sale find”, fixing it and giving it to a family member to see their surprise and how it helped them.
Richard was enlisted in the Marines from 1959-1963 reaching the rank of Corporal. He was a USMC Helicopter Mechanic. He took great pride in serving the United States, sharing Marine stories with his family and reminiscing with fellow Marines. He was employed by General Motors for 33 years from 1964-1997 as a Skilled Trades Welder Repair where he was well respected as a “man who gets the job done right”.
Richard is survived by his wife Rosemary; sons, Richard Gillett Jr. (Vonda), Michael (Renee’ Vandemark), Dan (Shannon) Gillett; eight grandchildren, Matthew (Andrea) Gillett, Angela (Brandon) Eckerle, Brendan Misner-
Gillett, MacKenzie DeWitt (Keagan), Allyson Gillett, Duncan (Gracelynn) Gillett, Collin (Maddie Krantz) Gillett, Sydnie Gillett. He was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Aleigha Eckerle, Braylon Eckerle, Owen
Gillett, Benjamin Gillett, Madelyn Gillett, Kade DeWitt, Sutton DeWitt; beloved Sister in Law Dixie Sierkowski; numerous dear Michigan and Florida friends, longtime neighbors, Church Members at Redemer Lutheran Church and Owosso First Church of the Nazarene.
He was predeceased by his parents, Emmett and Vesta Gillett, Brothers Emmett, Robert, and Wayne Gillett, and sister Marie Herrick.
Memorial contributions are suggested to TANGO3-Toys For Tots Shiawassee.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at Nelson-House.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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8/19/2024 |
| Time: |
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2:00 PM |
| 2-8p |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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8/20/2024 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Owosso First Church of the Nazarene
1865 S. M-52
Owosso, MI 48867Get a Map to this location...
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| Official: |
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Pastor Jerry Walden |
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